Israel and Cyprus Near €150M Naval Deal Targeting Turkey
Israel and Cyprus are close to signing a €150 million government-to-government defense deal that would see Israel Shipyards supply naval vessels to the Cypriot Navy armed with Rafael weapon systems, according to Calcalist. The agreement between the two countries' defense ministries is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.
This is not the first time Israel Shipyards has equipped Cyprus at sea. Less than a decade ago, the company delivered a patrol vessel to protect Cyprus's exclusive economic zone, fitted with radar, command-and-control systems, and two Typhoon naval weapon stations. Rafael was part of that earlier deal as well, and the two companies have since collaborated on defense programs in Azerbaijan and the Philippines.
Greece signed the €3 billion Achilles Shield agreement with Israel, covering a multilayered air defense network.
The naval deal is part of a rapidly deepening Israel-Cyprus-Greece security axis that has accelerated as Turkey pushes to expand its regional influence during the ongoing Middle East conflict. In August, Greece signed the €3 billion Achilles Shield agreement with Israel, covering a multilayered air defense network built on Rafael and Israel Aerospace Industries systems.
Cyprus is also arming itself in the air. IAI supplied the island with the Barak MX air and missile defense system, capable of intercepting targets up to 150 km away according to Maariv, and the system was put on public display during Nicosia's October 1 independence day parade. Cyprus is reportedly examining additional Israeli systems including Drone Dome, Lite Beam, and Iron Dome, though no decisions have been made. Russian Tor-M1 and Buk systems currently remain operational.
Israeli defense sources told Calcalist the emerging naval agreement could also open the door to broader defense manufacturing cooperation between the two countries. Rafael and Israel Shipyards both declined to comment.
