The Cypriot National Guard’s Mi-35 Hind and SA342 Gazelle attack helicopters are very rarely reported on. Dirk Jan de Ridder and Menso van Westrhenen visited what may well be the European Union’s most exotic attack helicopter squadron – a unit that has never left national territory for operations or training exercises.
By legend the birthplace of the Ancient Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite, Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded the north in response to a military coup in Cyprus backed by the military-run Greek government. Today, Northern Cyprus is still occupied by Turkey and internationally is only recognised as a separate entity by Ankara. Separated from the north by a ‘Green Line’ patrolled by United Nations troops, the internationally recognised Republic of Cyprus covers the southern two-thirds of the island. Reunification talks continue to take place, but have made little progress.
