Famagusta: Intense mobility of the Turkish army - Transport of troops and weapons?

Airstrikes inside a residential area appear to have been carried out yesterday by Turkish Air Force assault helicopters and transport planes flying over the ghost town of Famagusta at around 11 a.m., in an operation that simulated air traffic inside a residential area. The news was spread yesterday, thanks to the valid information provided exclusively by Famagusta.News by a reputable military source who was monitoring the developments.

The news was confirmed and broadcast by pan-Cypriot media.

Read more: Turkish military helicopters and C-130 flights over Famagusta Port

However, according to unconfirmed information cited by the Greek website ProNews.gr, two Turkish military AS-532 Cugar attack helicopters appear to have disembarked groups of commandos and a C-130 transport aircraft, leaving a group of paratroopers.

According to the website, the illegal Turkish actions were visible in the free areas and especially in the free province of Famagusta.

The whole operation lasted, as reported, about an hour. F-16 fighter jets were spotted patrolling the northeast of the island.

The article adds that "this is the first time since 1974 that such an action is taken".

At the same time, according to information cited by the website, the transfer of 77 self-propelled guns of 155 mm / 52, T-155 Firtina 155 mm / 52 has been completed.

These systems, according to the publication, are a huge qualitative upgrade of the occupying forces.

T-155 Firtina self-propelled gun

The T-155 Firtina 155mm / 52 self-propelled gun is based on the South Korean K-9 Thunder, whose technology was acquired by the Turks for $ 1 billion almost 20 years ago to design and build a Turkish version of the specific weapon that would allow it. the needs of the Turkish Army and its export to friendly countries.

The Turkish cannon is set to replace the 90 old (modernized) 44 mm M155T cannons. maintained by the Turks in occupied Cyprus.

The new cannons have a longer range (41 km) and higher speeds (3 missiles in 15 seconds), while applying a strong and continuous fire, the T-155 Firtina can launch 6-8 missiles per minute for a relatively short time. Their performance in Afrin is impressive.

Its large 48-missile recoil allows the T-155 Firtina to fire continuously without having to be refueled immediately.

It is estimated that these guns can hit targets hundreds of kilometers away from different parts of the occupied territories.

On the other hand, the ability of the gun to shoot "shoot and scoot" means that the ability of the gun to fire and immediately leave the firing range to a different location in a few minutes, without much process, is a huge advantage for occupying forces, which will be able to hit targets in the free zones, without fear of the response of the Cypriot artillery.

The large number of artillery allows the scattered use of firearms in pairs or quarters along the entire line of confrontation with vehicles constantly moving without being exposed to Cypriot fire retaliation, giving the Turkish Army a regular advantage.

There is no reason to worry

The new challenges of the Turks are known to those in charge at the Ministry of Defense, according to reliable sources.

"These are illegal Turkish activities, but they are common and there is no cause for concern," officials said.

Famagusta.News