This article was published about two months ago, but I found it interesting as it discusses how the VURAL electronic warfare system reportedly blinded the Cypriot National Guard.
Turkish radar blinds the National Guard and paralyzes communications
While the President of the Republic is preparing to meet on April 2 with the occupation leader Ersin Tatar about the MOE, the Turks are consolidating the occupation. And how are they doing it? Today we bring to light a new weapons system, which blinds the National Guard and interrupts communications. This is the mobile VURAL ES/EA system, which is connected to the fixed TRS-22XX with a range of 500 kilometers. Both are based on the peak of Pentadaktylos, "Hill 888".
Erdogan's promise
The VURAL radar is advanced technology and specialized in electronic warfare. There are only four VURALs and they are Turkish-made and of origin. One of them has been in Cyprus since last year (2024) and is part of the "Erdogan Doctrine" for the qualitative upgrade of Attila on the island, on which Turkey is investing geopolitically, in the logical and practical implementation of the Blue Homeland, as well as the neutralization of the National Guard forces, which suffer from electronic warfare issues. This development, like others, demonstrates that an alternative strategy will not leave Cyprus.
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The satellite photo captures the fixed base, namely the TRS-22XX Early Warning Radar, and the VURAL ES/EA Radar, which is mobile. The two are connected to each other. The TRS-22XX is permanently located, that is, fixed, on "Hill 888", at the top of Pentadaktylos. The VURAL ES/EA Radar, on the other hand, is a modern mobile electronic warfare system, which can blind the RF and paralyze communications. It is in the same network with other smaller radars, cameras and transmission cages, as well as with the STR 700G Radar, located in Kioneli, and which acts as another modern anti-aircraft weapon system.
Electronic warfare and “twin radar”
VURAL can:
1) Interfere on the ground and in the air with electronic systems, in other words, act against radio stations and even combat aircraft.
2) Blind screens of electronic surveillance systems or interrupt communications between wireless networks and especially operations centers and units, or between units. Therefore, it has the ability to paralyze the networks of Command and Early Warning Systems and Stations.
3) Locate enemy radio stations and radars. Additionally, in combination with the action of other weapons systems, such as the STR 700G - which is located, as we have already revealed, in Kioneli - it has the ability to locate radio stations and their units. Therefore, it provides information to artillery units, for example, either directly or through the STR 700G for their neutralization. We recall that the STR 700G can locate the area from which a projectile was fired from artillery or launchers and give instructions for countermeasures. By analogy, this happens with the duo of TRS-22XX and VURAL with regard to electronic systems either on the ground or in the air.
4) To proceed with interceptions and transfer them to the various centers for gathering, analyzing and evaluating information in order to be aware of the situation and make the appropriate decisions depending on the case.
Line of confrontation
The said twin radar (TRS-22XX and VURAL) is connected to smaller ones, which can be located on the line of confrontation - radius of 20 kilometers - with transmission cages and other electronic systems. VURAL can de facto conduct defensive and offensive electronic warfare and has been tested in both Libya and Syria. In other words, its action is reliable in conditions of military operations. The Turks want to be "Steps Forward". The weakness of the National Guard in electronic warfare systems also helps in this direction.
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The image shows the mobile radar VURAL ES/EA on one side and the STR 700G, located in Kioneli. The map depicts the Nicosia FIR and the range of the TRS-22XX Early Warning Radar, which operates as a twin with the mobile radar VURAL ES/EA for conducting electronic warfare. The two satellite images depict the STR 700G in Kioneli and the VURAL ES/EA, on “Height 888” in Pentadaktylos.
“Good Neighborhood”
Under these and other circumstances, the President will meet with the occupying leader on April 2, under the Turkish threat, to discuss the MOUs concerning, among other things, the opening of roadblocks and low-level policy issues, which are part of the “potential solution”. This is the formula of the late Richard Holbrooke, which provides that, since it has been accepted that the north will be permanently Turkish and the south under Greek Cypriot Administration, steps should be taken between the parties for the acceptance of one by the other (acknowledgment - revocable recognition). This acceptance is part of the concept of “two entities”, which will be recognized as “two constituent states” with “political equality”, which constitute the source of “equal sovereignty” and “two states”.
CFE solution
Under these conditions:
First, the CFE is evolving into a process of "good neighborliness", "loose borders" with a tough Turkish army, which reinforces the Turkish Cypriots' consciousness of separate states, whether constituent or otherwise. Second, why is Famagusta and its return not part of the CFE, so that a zone of coexistence and trade between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots can be created under the auspices of the UN and the laws of the EU and the Republic of Cyprus? It will be a partial lifting of the so-called embargo against Turkish Cypriots and a partial implementation of the Acquis in the occupied territories, namely in Famagusta, which, based on Protocol 10, has been suspended due to occupation throughout the north. Its implementation is imposed by the consent of the Republic of Cyprus. If the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey want a solution, why not accept the proposal? If they do not accept, then they should have the burden of proof for the no. But, at the same time, there should be a Plan B, based on deterrence and blocking of Turkey in the EU and elsewhere, which means the geopolitical strategy in the strategic practice of the single space from the Balkans to Israel as a counterweight to Turkish insolence towards Russia and the USA.
Third, why should the MOUs not focus, among other things, on the complete withdrawal of the Turkish army from Cyprus within 12 months, with the simultaneous: 1) Lifting the veto of Cyprus and Greece on its participation in the new EU programs for the defense industry, which reach 150 billion euros. 2) Initiation of the procedures for the accession of the Republic of Cyprus to NATO, which, together with an EU security system, can replace the anachronistic guarantees and unilateral rights of intervention.
The alternative option and Israel
Based on the above, it can be understood that it would be possible to build a new strategy on three levels: First, deterrence, which means security and cost to Turkey if it attempts against us or if it does not compromise. Second, “mutual benefit”, which will be based on the perception of the CFE as already described through the EU, NATO and Famagusta in the context of another process in the logical and practical implementation of the “potential solution”, which will not lead to the division of two constituent states, or mere states, which will cooperate in the practice of a confederation. And where will it end? In a political formula based on the principles of law, which will allow for the continuity and not the dissolution of the Republic of Cyprus. Therefore, such an arrangement should bring about the end of the occupation and the reintegration of the Turkish Cypriots into the Republic of Cyprus, whose unitary character will be reformed where and when necessary, instead of being dissolved, in one way or another, to be placed under the control of Turkey. And this is where the message should be given to our partners and the US. That, in fact, the Turkification of Cyprus does not benefit them either, because it will increase their dependence on Ankara. Fortunately, this is understood by Israel, which can be our ally, to prevent worse developments. And this will not happen, not because of our appeasement policy, but because if Cyprus falls, Ankara's own interests will be threatened. And especially its exit to the West, due to the lack of strategic depth. Unless the window of opportunity closes. Because Israel and Turkey may now be sworn enemies, but who knows tomorrow how interests will evolve, thank goodness for the US? Usually, those who do not have a plan B or even a plan C to seize the opportunity when the... "iron is boiling" are punished.