Southern Cyprus has ordered 24 Nora B 52 for National Guard Forces. Deliveries started in September 2019.
The Greek Cypriot Administration through procurement of heavy weaponry from Serbia is adding to its stockpile of armaments. It has come to our attention that the Greek Cypriot Administration is in the process of purchasing 8 Milosh BOV M16 4×4 multi-purpose armoured vehicles used for patrol missions, reconnaissance, personnel transportation and as ambulance, along with 24 Nora B-52 155 mm, which is self-propelled artillery. The artillery in question are 8×8 vehicles which can fire 11 bullets in 60 seconds, at various calibres, at a range of 42 kilometres and is equipped with GPS. In addition, 41 Leopard 2A4 battle tanks and 2 naval armed vessels will be purchased from Germany and France respectively, in order to reinforce the Greek Cypriot Administration’s naval forces.
The aforementioned naval vessels, which will be included in the inventory of the Greek Cypriot Administration navy for the first time, will be stationed at the Evangelos Florakis Naval Base in Mari, where reorganization work to accommodate these vessels has already began. As will be recalled, in order to reinforce the security cooperation between France and the Greek Cypriot Administration, the two countries have enhanced their defence agreement, permitting construction of a new naval station in Mari, which will be allocated for the use of the French navy.
As understood from the above information, these steps indicate that the intention is far beyond that of defence.
One of the Serbian-made Nora-B52 155 mm/52-calibre 8x8 self-propelled gun-howitzers bought by Cyprus on parade in Nicosia on 1 October. (Serbian MoD)