Nikiforos 2005 will be ‘on a vast scale’

THE NIKIFOROS wargames will take place from October 18 to 23, National Guard chief Athanassios Nikolodemos said yesterday.

It has been three years since the exercises were called off, as part of a broader policy to reduce tensions with neighbouring Turkey. Up until 2001, they were conducted with the support of Greek air and naval forces.

After much debate, this year the Defence Ministry decided to go it alone without Greece, which has indicated it will not be taking part.

Speaking at a news conference yesterday, Lieutenant-general Nikolodemos said the drill would be on “a vast scale” involving a large number of reserves.

According to Nikolodemos, this year’s scenario would involve a gradual escalation of hostilities leading to all-out warfare.

He said no Greek ships would be joining the wargames, but could not confirm whether Greek Air Force fighter jets would take part.

For a number of years until 2001, the wargames – then codenamed “Nikiforos-Toxotis” – had been jointly held by Cyprus and Greece as part of the Unified Defence Dogma between the two countries.
The National Guard currently has around 10,000 soldiers on active duty with 88,000 reserves. Of the 88,000, half are aged 35-50; the rest are aged 20-34. These forces are supplemented by about 1,000 Greek mainland troops and 1,300 Greek mainland officers

In the north, there are some 4,000 Turkish Cypriot Security Forces (TCSF) with 26,000 reserves. There are about 40,000 Turkish mainland soldiers.
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