Yes, there is a military presence in Cyprus consisting largely of British military personnel stationed at two sovereign base areas.
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Yes, there is a military presence in Cyprus consisting largely of British military personnel stationed at two sovereign base areas. The British military bases in Cyprus are Akrotiri and Dhekelia, which were retained by the British when Cyprus gained independence in 1960. The bases serve as a training ground for British forces, and they also play a role in intelligence gathering and military operations in the Middle East.
As of 2021, there are approximately 3,000 British military personnel stationed in Cyprus, along with their families. The bases also employ a significant number of civilians, both British and Cypriot.
According to the British Ministry of Defence, “the Sovereign Base Areas are home to the biggest concentration of British forces outside the UK and provide a vital capability and strategic location.”
Interesting facts about the British military presence in Cyprus:
- The bases were established in 1947, following an agreement between the UK and Cyprus’s colonial government.
- The bases cover a total area of 98 square miles – approximately 3% of the island’s total land area.
- The bases have their own legal system, separate from that of Cyprus, and the British maintain jurisdiction over any offences committed by military personnel.
- The bases have been used as a staging point for British military operations in the Middle East, including the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
- The presence of British military personnel in Cyprus has sometimes been controversial, with Cypriot politicians and activists calling for the bases to be closed.
A quote from the British Ministry of Defence:
“The Sovereign Base Areas are of great importance to the UK’s long-term defence interests and to the stability of the wider region. They provide the UK with a strategic presence in the eastern Mediterranean, enabling us to respond swiftly to crises, undertake training and maintenance activities, and be a credible deterrent to potential adversaries.”
Table of facts:
| Established | 1947 |
| Total area | 98 sq mi |
| Number of British personnel | approximately 3,000 |
| Legal system | separate from Cyprus |
| Jurisdiction over military offences | maintained by UK |
| Military operations | staging point for operations in the Middle East |
See a related video
The video showcases joint military drills in Cyprus, featuring US Army paratroopers and Cypriot troops who are working together to improve their combat skills through simulations and training exercises. The drills aim to strengthen the international partnerships between the two armies and improve their capabilities. Additionally, the Chief of the Armed Forces of Cyprus congratulates the Battalion for their efforts and presents them with a coin bearing his signature, while the Battalion Commander presents him with a Battalion coin as a token of appreciation. The Battalion has a rich history of serving in different parts of the world.
See what else I discovered
Military service in the Republic of Cyprus is mandatory for males. Today, the obligatory service period is 14 months. Currently, only Greek Cypriots serve in the military.
Military service in the Cypriot National Guard is mandatory for all male citizens of the Republic of Cyprus, as well as any male non-citizens born of a parent of Greek Cypriot descent, lasting from the January 1 of the year in which they turn 18 years of age to December 31, of the year in which they turn 50.
British Forces Cyprus, the military arm of the Bases, is well-known throughout Cyprus and has its headquarters in Episkopi. It is very much the public face of the organisation, and is led by a two-star military commander who has a dual-role: the SBA Administrator (the head of the SBAs) and Commander British Forces Cyprus.
British Forces Cyprus (BFC) is the name given to the British Armed Forces stationed in the UK Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia on the island of Cyprus and at a number of related ‘retained sites’ in the Republic of Cyprus.
The British Army in Cyprus works to a tri-service headquarters (BFC) and is tasked with protecting the SBAs and associated retained sites.
Since 2020, it has conducted annual air and naval military exercises with Italy, France and Greece, and its defence minister Haralambos Petridis has said it plans to buy air defence systems. But Cyprus insists its intentions are defensive.
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Does Cyprus have a military base?
Cyprus has made available the military base in Paphos and the naval base in Zygi, along with other facilities. These have been upgraded and equipped with electronic surveillance systems. The force has in recent years experienced exponential draft dodging (in Greek: φυγοστρατία).
What is British Forces Cyprus?
British Forces Cyprus, the military arm of the Bases, is well-known throughout Cyprus and has its headquarters in Episkopi. It is very much the public face of the organisation, and is led by a two-star military commander who has a dual-role: the SBA Administrator (the head of the SBAs) and Commander British Forces Cyprus.
Do you need a military visa in Cyprus?
Response will be: All male residents of Cyprus who are of military age (16 and over) are required to obtain an exit visa from the Ministry of Defense . The Republic of Cyprus has an active military draft. Conscripts enlisting as of the 2016 winter draft have to serve a term of 14 months, and military service continues as a reservist after the end of the term.
How long did the Cyprus Army last?
The Cyprus army was a short-lived volunteer force from 1960-4. The first elected President of the Republic of Cyprus Archbishop Makarios III, proposed thirteen constitutional amendments to the 1960 constitution, which would have adjusted the distribution of manpower and voting power for all civil and military services.
Is military service mandatory in Cyprus?
Answer: Military service in the Republic of Cyprus is mandatory for males. Today, the obligatory service period is 14 months. Currently, only Greek Cypriots serve in the military.
What is British Forces Cyprus?
The response is: British Forces Cyprus, the military arm of the Bases, is well-known throughout Cyprus and has its headquarters in Episkopi. It is very much the public face of the organisation, and is led by a two-star military commander who has a dual-role: the SBA Administrator (the head of the SBAs) and Commander British Forces Cyprus.
How long did the Cyprus Army last?
The Cyprus army was a short-lived volunteer force from 1960-4. The first elected President of the Republic of Cyprus Archbishop Makarios III, proposed thirteen constitutional amendments to the 1960 constitution, which would have adjusted the distribution of manpower and voting power for all civil and military services.
What percentage of Cyprus does the UK have a military base?
Today, the two UK Sovereign Base Areas (SBAs) occupy nearly three per cent of Cyprus. The Akrotiri base, at the island’s southern tip, is the largest, at more than 250 square kilometres. ‘The British military presence here is an anachronism,’ says strategy consultant Aris Petasis.