Cyprus

Republic of Cyprus

The armed forces of the Republic of Cyprus are comprised in the Cypriot National Guard (Εθνική Φρουρά). Consisting of ground, air and naval elements, the Cypriot NG has traditionally been heavily based on the Greek model, with combat uniform traditions being no exception. For many years the majority of Cypriot guardsmen wore imported or locally-made copies of the standard Greek military lizard pattern camouflage (with similar variability among the different manufacturers and years of production). It has only been recently that national patterns were adopted, setting the Cypriots somewhat apart from their Greek cousins.

Cypriot Camouflage Patterns

• One of the earliest patterns to be associated with Cyprus is not, in fact, of Greek origin. Consisting of thick black, brown and green vertical stripes on a pale green background, the origins of pattern can in fact be traced to Singapore, where it was worn by their Commando Regiment. Some evidence suggests the design itself may have originated in Israel, although whether designed commercially or for IDF use is uncertain. Within the Cypriot National Guards, this design has been observed worn by the Navy Commandos (OYK) in the 1980s and 1990s. A couple of different variations of this pattern have been documented, although it is not yet certain whether all were actually worn by Cypriot forces.

• It is surmised that the Cypriot National Guard did not adopt the Greek lizard patterns until perhaps the 1980s or so, they being in large part distributed only to special operations elements of the Greek Armed Forces until that time anyway. The patterns seen here are the most commonly encountered Greek-produced patterns, although it is likely any number of variations may have ended up in the hands of the Cypriots as well.

• Locally-made copies of the Greek lizard pattern probably date to the late 1980s or early 1990s. There seem to be a number of color variations, of which not all have been documented as being necessarily for military use. Seen below are three common variations. To the left a "brown lizard" pattern that diverges from the traditional Greek color schemes, and in the center and right copies of the green lizard pattern with less-detailed stripes.

• Around 2003, a camouflage pattern emerged for general issue to Cypriot National Guard ground forces that completely broke away from the traditional associations with the Greek Armed Forces. Consisting of grey-green, stone & medium grey shapes on sand background, the pattern is not known to be based specifically on any other design. Later variants incorporate the Cypriot National crest within the design.

• Another variation to emerge shortly thereafter, similar to the ground forces version but incorporating darker colors and one shade of blue, is worn by the air elements of the Cypriot National Guard.

Other Patterns worn by Cypriot National Guard

• Elements of the National Guard Army and Navy Special Forces wear a copy of the USMC MARPAT Woodland pattern camouflage.

• Elements of the National Guard Special Operations Command wear the USA designed Universal Camouflage Pattern (UCP).