MilitarySpend
Defense Economics Research

Rank #84 · Europe

Cyprus military spending in 2026.

Cyprus spends approximately $590 million on defence — roughly 1.6% of GDP — to maintain the Greek Cypriot National Guard in a state of deterrence against Turkey, which has occupied the northern third of the island since 1974. As an EU member outside NATO, Cyprus pursues a niche procurement strategy combining French, Israeli, and legacy Soviet systems, with recent Israeli drone acquisitions raising interoperability questions.

Rank #84 · Europe
2026 spend2025
Estimate
Per capita
$655
% of GDP
1.6%
YoY
▲7.0%
1.6%
of GDP
Burden gauge · ring fills at 10% of GDP
Global comparison

Cyprus vs the top 5 spenders

#1 United States
$954.0B
#2 China
$336.0B
#3 Russia
$190.0B
#4 Germany
$114.0B
#5 India
$92.1B
#84 Cyprus
$590M
Force composition

87K personnel

2025
Active duty
12K
14%
Reserve
75K
86%
Global ranking

#84 of 100 tracked countries

Sorted by 2026 spend
#1#50#100

Budget context

Cyprus's defence budget is anchored by the enduring threat of Turkish military presence in the north (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, recognised only by Turkey). The 2025 budget allocated approximately €550 million, with supplementary funds for capital procurement. Greece provides financial and material support under the Greece-Cyprus Defence and Security Agreement. Recent procurement has been shaped by the need to counter Turkish UAV threats observed in Nagorno-Karabakh and Syria; Israel's Hermes 900 and Heron UAVs have been evaluated and purchased. France supplied missiles and naval patrol vessels. US arms sales are constrained by the Nelson Amendment, which historically blocked weapons transfers to Cyprus, though partial waivers have been granted.

Force structure

The Greek Cypriot National Guard (Ethniki Froura) fields approximately 12,000 active personnel supported by a large conscript-trained reserve of 75,000. Conscription lasts 14 months. The Army operates T-80U main battle tanks (transferred from Greece), BMP-3 IFVs, and towed artillery. The Air Force Command operates AW139 helicopters, PC-9 trainers, and Israeli UAVs. A small Naval Command maintains patrol boats. Greek officers serve in command positions at the brigade level under a bilateral defence agreement. The force is organized for territorial defence with no power-projection ambition. Turkey maintains 30,000-35,000 troops in the north, creating an asymmetric confrontation.

Industrial posture

Cyprus has no domestic defence industry. All major equipment is imported, with Greece serving as the primary intermediary and supplier. Israeli defence firms (Elbit, IAI) have gained market share through UAV and electronic warfare contracts. French naval and missile suppliers (MBDA, Damen Shipyards) have supplied offshore patrol vessels and missile systems. Russia historically supplied T-80U tanks and BMP-3 IFVs; these relationships have become politically sensitive since 2022, and Cyprus has declined to service or replenish Russian-origin systems. The island functions as a regional logistics and ISR hub — civilian airport capacity and geographic position between Europe and the Middle East give strategic value beyond force numbers.

Conflict exposure

The Cyprus problem remains frozen since 1974, with UN Buffer Zone troops (UNFICYP) patrolling the Green Line dividing Nicosia. UN-mediated reunification talks collapsed in 2017 (Crans-Montana), and a 2021 five-party conference (plus Greece and Turkey) also failed. Turkey conducts periodic shows of force in Cypriot exclusive economic zone (EEZ) waters, disputing hydrocarbon exploration rights. Hydrocarbon discoveries in the Aphrodite and Calypso fields have raised the geopolitical stakes; Exxon-Mobil and Qatar Petroleum hold exploration stakes. Israel-Cyprus defence ties deepened after the October 7 Hamas attack; Cyprus opened its airports for humanitarian coordination.

Recent developments

Cyprus concluded a purchase of Israeli Heron TP (Eitan) UAVs in 2024, expanding its drone reconnaissance capability significantly. France delivered an Offshore Patrol Vessel to the Cypriot Navy in late 2023. The EEZ standoff with Turkey continued through 2024-25, with Turkish naval vessels periodically obstructing Cypriot exploration. Cyprus raised its defence budget by approximately 7% for 2025 amid EU-wide rearmament pressure. PESCO participation has deepened, with Cyprus joining several projects on naval mine countermeasures and military mobility. UN negotiations remained stalled through 2025.

Frequently asked questions

How much does Cyprus spend on its military?

Cyprus spent approximately $590 million on defence in 2025 — around 1.6% of GDP. The spending is driven almost entirely by the Turkish military presence in the north, maintained since the 1974 invasion.

Why is Turkey in Cyprus?

Turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974 following a Greek junta-backed coup aimed at union with Greece. Turkish forces occupy the northern 37% of the island; a UN buffer zone divides the island. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is recognised only by Turkey.

Is Cyprus in NATO?

No. Cyprus is an EU member but not a NATO member, largely due to the complexity of the Turkey-Greece-Cyprus relationship within the alliance. Cyprus participates in PESCO and has bilateral defence agreements with Greece, France, and Israel.

Primary sources