Cyprus Navy
Naval Command of Cyprus | |
---|---|
Διοίκηση Ναυτικού Κύπρου (Greek) Kıbrıs Deniz Kuvvetleri (Turkish) | |
Commanders | |
Current commander | Commodore Minas Solomonides |
Notable commanders | Lieutenant Eleftherios Tsomakis Commodore Andreas Ioannidis |
Insignia | |
Ensign | ![]() |
Jack | ![]() |
The Cyprus Naval Command (
History
Combat actions of 1964
On 6 August 1964,
The battle was well underway on 8 August, when the Turkish Air Force commenced its own attack with fighter aircraft, making numerous strafing passes of Greek Cypriot positions. The vessel Phaethon was struck by rocket fire and burst into flames, forcing the crew to deliberately run it aground near Xeros Harbour. Seven of the crewmembers on Phaethon were killed and several wounded in the attack, and the ship was unsalvageable and later stricken.[3][4]
The second R-151 Group patrol boat, Arion, was attacked by the same Turkish fighter jet formations, and was reportedly struck several times by strafing fire, but escaped to Paphos. During the attack on the Arion, a Turkish
MTBs flotilla:
- First squadron; base - Boghazi; boats: T-4, T-5, T-6
- Second squadron; base - Kyrenia; boats: T-1, T-2, T-3
- Patrol Boats squadron; base - Boghazi; boats: Leventis, Dedalos
- Four radar stations (range of detection 45 nautical miles)
- Naval stations at Famagusta, Xylophagos, Limassol, Paphos
- Underwater Demolitions Unit (Boghazi naval base)
Country of origin | Vessel type | Class | Name | Pennant | Fate |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
Group Motor Minesweeper
(R boat) |
R-151 | Arion (Leventis after 1965) | P1 (1964)
15 (1972) |
Sunk 14 August 1974 by own crew at Naval Base "Chrysulis" |
![]() |
Group Motor Minesweeper
(R boat) |
R-151 | Phaethon[5] | P2 (1964) | Sunk 8 August 1964 near Xeros
in a battle with Turkish airplanes. |
![]() |
Group Motor Minesweeper
(R boat) |
R-218 | Dedalos[6] | Unknown | Removed from Navy lists in 1970 and 1971 |
![]() |
Motor torpedo boat | P-4 Skinhead
(Type 123K) |
T-1 (Adopted Oct 1964) | 20 (1965) | Sunk 20 July 1974 North-East of Kyrenia
in a battle with Turkish invasion forces. |
![]() |
Motor torpedo boat | P-4 Skinhead
(Type 123K) |
T-2 (Adopted Oct 1964) | 21 (1965) | Run aground 21 July 1974 North of Naval Base "Chrysulis".
Later captured by Turkish forces.[7] |
![]() |
Motor torpedo boat | P-4 Skinhead
(Type 123K) |
T-3 (Adopted Oct 1964) | 22 (1965) | Sunk 20 July 1974 North-East of Kyrenia
in a battle with Turkish invasion forces. |
![]() |
Motor torpedo boat | P-4 Skinhead
(Type 123K) |
T-4 (adopted October 1964) | 23 (1965) | Sunk 14 August 1974 by own crew at Naval Base "Chrysulis" |
![]() |
Motor torpedo boat | P-4 Skinhead
(Type 123K) |
T-5 (Adopted Feb 1965) | 24 (1965) | In 1973-74 removed from active service and disarmed.
Destroyed 14 August 1974 at Naval Base "Chrysulis"[7] |
![]() |
Motor torpedo boat | P-4 Skinhead
(Type 123K) |
T-6 (Adopted Feb 1965) | 25 (1965) | Sunk 14 August 1974 by own crew at Naval Base "Chrysulis" |
![]() |
Fast Patrol Craft (PCF) | Esterel
(Kelefstis Stamou) |
Kelefstis Stamou
(Embargoed, purchased by the Hellenic Navy) |
P28 (1975)
P287 (since 1980) |
Still active |
![]() |
Fast Patrol Craft (PCF) | Esterel
(Kelefstis Stamou) |
Diopos Antoniou
(Embargoed, purchased by the Hellenic Navy) |
P29 (1975)
P286 (since 1980) |
Still active |
![]() |
Motor torpedo boat | Type 108 | Unknown (replaced T-5 by 1974)[7][8] | Unknown | Probably sunk 14 August 1974 by own crew
at Naval Base "Chrysulis" |
![]() |
Motor torpedo boat | Type 108 | Unknown (unconfirmed status)[8] | Unknown | Unknown |
![]() |
Motor torpedo boat | Type 108 | Unknown (unconfirmed status)[8] | Unknown | Unknown |
Main armament
- 40 mm Bofors Mark III L60 gun
Switzerland 20 mm Oerlikon Mark 10 L70 cannon
Soviet Union 14,5 mm 2M-5 machine guns
Soviet Union 450 mm type 45-52 torpedoes
-
Cyprus Navy P-4 "Skinhead" class Motor Torpedo Boat
Combat actions of 1974
On 15 July 1974,
On 20 July 1974, Turkey invaded Cyprus in a surprise-attack, without issuing a
Developments from 1975 to 2008
In 1983, the
In 1994, Cyprus acquired 24 Aerospatiale MM40 Exocet Block-II anti-ship missiles (reportedly initially intended for Iran) from France, along with 3 coastal defence batteries.[12]
In 2000, the Cyprus Navy received the ex-Hellenic Navy patrol boat "Knossos", which was renamed "Kyrenia", designated P02 and formed the Kyrenia class.[13] This vessel was Greek made, of the Dilos-class, previously designated P269. This vessel is armed with one single 20mm .70cal Oerlikon Mk10 AA cannon and one 2-round Mistral-SIMBAD air-defence missile launcher.[12]
In 2002, the Cyprus Navy acquired two Rodman 55 fast assault boats for the purpose of serving her
During 2004-2006, Cyprus took delivery of four FPB 30M type fast
2011 base disaster
On 11 July 2011, the Evangelos Florakis Naval Base explosion resulted in the destruction of much of the infrastructure of the nation's main naval port and loss of the Commander of Cypriot Navy Captain Andreas Ioannides. Reconstruction began immediately on the strength of domestic contracts for buildings and structures.
Acquisition of new warships
Following various media reports in 2012 that Cyprus was entertaining offers by Israel and Greece to supply two heavy Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), being far larger and more capable than anything previously operated, it was extensively reported in January 2013 that Cyprus signed an agreement with France to purchase two large, stealthy and well-armed vessels based upon the GOWIND corvette design. This frenzy of media speculation was bolstered by the otherwise sudden and unexplained visit to Cyprus by the L'Adroit, which some sources interpreted as a demonstration of the ship design, to be held at Limassol port from 24 to 26 January 2013.[15] Further unconfirmed reports by the Cyprus media claim to have it on good authority that a US$120 million down payment for the vessels is factored into the 2013 fiscal budget,[16] justified against the financial crisis by emergency defense requirements.
On 14 February 2017 a vessel was presented to Cyprus as a gift from the Sultanate of Oman. It was part of the Royal Omani Navy fleet, but was decommissioned and refitted for use in the waters off Cyprus. The ship was renamed Alasia.[17]
On 15 January 2018 the Cyprus Navy commissioned the Commodore Andreas Ioannides P 61, the ship was built by Israel Shipyards Limited and is based on the Saar 4.5 FAC. The navy has an option for an additional vessel which was exercised as of December 2018.[18][19]
2024 Lebanon Migrant crisis
As a result of the Lebanese government's inability to deal with the migrant crisis, It was decided by the Cypriot government to send Port and Marine Police and Navy ships to patrol approximately 30 nautical miles off the Lebanese coast in order to prevent illegal immigration into the country.[20][21][22]
During the patrol off the coast of Lebanon, a Turkish Navy ship was spotted by Cypriot coastal radars approaching the two ships that were on patrol in the area and as such, the command center from one of the ships immediately alerted the government in Nicosia, which got into contact with Athens who immediately sent the Spetsai frigate to support the Cypriot ships.[23][24] The Turkish ship later left the area with the Cypriot General Staff and rest of the government were fully informed of all the Turkish military movements that were taking place until it left.[23]
Structure
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f8/OrgChart.png)
Equipment
Vessels
Class | Ship | No. | Country of origin | Vessel type | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Al Mubrukah | Alasia | A620 | ![]() |
Offshore patrol vessel (OPV) | 62 m (203 ft) |
Saar 62
|
Commodore Andreas Ioannides | P61 | ![]() |
Offshore patrol vessel (OPV) | 62 m (203 ft) |
On order, delivery to be confirmed | TBD | ||||
Esterel | Salamis | P01 | ![]() |
Fast Patrol Boat (FPB) | 32 m (105 ft) |
FPB | Lieutenant Eleftherios Tsomakis | P03 | ![]() |
Fast Patrol Boat (FPB) | 27 m (89 ft) |
Lieutenant Commander Nikolas Georgiou | P04 | ||||
FPB | Ammochostos | P05 | ![]() |
Fast Patrol Boat (FPB) | 25 m (82 ft) |
Rodman 55 | Agathos[25] | N/A | ![]() |
Fast Attack Craft (FAC) | 17 m (56 ft) |
Panagos[26] | N/A | ||||
Rafnar 40 | N/A | ![]() |
[27] |
Also 2 Italian-made speedboats Poseidonas 1 and Nireas 1.[28]
Main naval base - Evangelos Florakis, Mari - Larnaca
Naval stations - Limassol, Pafos
- September 2000 – 10 July 2002: Captain Nicholas Georgiou (killed in air accident)
- July 2002 – 20 August 2008: Captain Evangelos Valvis
- 20 August 2008 – 11 July 2011: Captain Andreas Ioannides (killed in naval base disaster)
- 11 July 2011 – 5 November 2011: Captain George Pitsiakos
- 5 November 2011: Captain Kyriakos Pochanis
- 2019 –:
See also
- Cyprus Joint Rescue Coordination Center
- Cyprus Port & Marine Police
- Evangelos Florakis Naval Base
- List of equipment of the Cypriot National Guard
- Military operations during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus
References
- ^ • Table 23, Republic of Cyprus: Major National Guard Equipment, 1990, Library of Congress (Additional sourcing: Based on information from The Military Balance, 1989- 1990, London, 1989, 85; and Christopher F. Foss, "Cypriot Rearmament Completed," Jane's Defence Weekly [London], 12 March 1988, 445.)
- ^ / Unknown bombardment of Patrol boat "Phaethon" in Cyprus 1964, in Greek
- ^ a b Cyprus, 1955-1973 By Tom Cooper, www.acig.org
- ^ Cyprus 100 Years Alex Efthyvoulou, Laiki Cultural Bank Archive
- ^ Erich Gröner "Die Deutschen Kriegsschiffe 1815-1945", Band 2, Munchen, 1983; p.197
- ^ Erich Gröner "Die Deutschen Kriegsschiffe 1815-1945", Band 2, Munchen, 1983; p.199
- ^ a b c Georgiou P.Sergi - "Battle for Cyprus. July–August 1974", Athens 1999 (in Greek)
- ^ a b c Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1947–1995, US Naval Institute Press 1996
- ^ a b Cyprus 1974 - The Greek coup and the Turkish invasion, Makarios Drousiotis, Hellenic Distribution Agency
- ^ http://www.turkishnavy.info/thumbnails.php?album=12[permanent dead link]
- ISBN 0-7106-2623-1; p.167
- ^ ISBN 1-59114-955-X, 9781591149552
- ^ / Greek Embassy Website Archived 5 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "C382 Fast Patrol Boat FPB 30m". Archived from the original on 11 December 2012. Retrieved 24 December 2012.
- ^ http://www.cyprus-mail.com/cyprus/french-navy-ship-due-thursday/20130122 Archived 17 May 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 15 February 2013
- ^ "Αγορά υπερσύγχρονης κορβέτας από Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία | News". www.sigmalive.com. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
- ^ "Cyprus officially takes command of Omani naval vessel - in-cyprus.com". in-cyprus.com. Archived from the original on 14 February 2017. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
- ^ "Janes | Latest defence and security news".
- ^ "Janes | Latest defence and security news".
- ^ "Μεταναστευτικό: Περιπολούν ανοιχτά του Λιβάνου το Αλάσια και το Θησέας | AlphaNews.Live". www.alphanews.live (in Greek). Retrieved 16 April 2024.
- ^ "Cyprus demands Lebanon control migrant flows". POLITICO. 4 April 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
- ^ "Cyprus ships patrolling off Lebanon to deter migrants | Cyprus Mail". cyprus-mail.com. 16 April 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
- ^ a b ΚΥΠΡΙΑΝΟΥ, ΝΕΑΡΧΟΣ (21 April 2024). "Μεταναστευτικό: Τουρκικό πολεμικό πλησίασε πλοία της Κυπριακής Δημοκρατίας στη μέση της απόστασης με Λίβανο" [Immigration: Turkish warship approached ships of the Republic of Cyprus in the middle distance between Cyprus and Lebanon]. ΠΟΛΙΤΗΣ. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
- ^ "Παρολίγο επεισόδιο με τουρκικό πολεμικό ανοικτά του Λιβάνου (ΒΙΝΤΕΟ) | AlphaNews.Live". www.alphanews.live (in Greek). Retrieved 9 May 2024.
- ^ "Rodman 55". Rodman Polyships S.L. Archived from the original on 28 March 2019. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
- ^ https://e-amyna.com/%CE%B4%CE%B9%CE%BF%CE%AF%CE%BA%CE%B7%CF%83%CE%B7-%CE%BD%CE%B1%CF%85%CF%84%CE%B9%CE%BA%CE%BF%CF%8D-%CE%BA%CF%8D%CF%80%CF%81%CE%BF%CF%85-%CE%B1%CF%80%CF%8C-%CF%84%CE%B7%CE%BD-%CF%83%CF%85%CE%B3%CE%BA-2/
- ^ "Στον στόλο της Διοίκησης Ναυτικού σκάφος τύπου Rafnar 40". cyprustimes.com (in Greek). 13 June 2024. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
- ^ "New speedboats Poseidonas 1 and Nireas 1 enter Cyprus Navy".
- ^ News, Armyvoice (9 August 2020). "Εθνική Φρουρά: Το Κυπριακό Ναυτικό απέκτησε υποναύαρχο". Armyvoice.gr.
{{cite web}}
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has generic name (help) - ^ "Cyprus Navy Commander Visits Russian Severomorsk Destroyer in Port City of Limassol".
External links
- Cyprus Naval Forces in 1964-1974 (Russian)