JERUSALEM — Israel today signed a deal with Cyprus to provide Nicosia with a new offshore patrol vessel (OPV) equipped with unspecified “advance naval systems” from Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.
Israel’s Ministry of Defense said Oct. 26 in a statement that Israel “will supply Cyprus with a new patrol vessel built by Israel Shipyards and fitted with a range of Rafael naval systems. In parallel, the systems aboard Cyprus’s existing Israel Shipyards-built patrol vessel will be upgraded.”
Israel delivered a 62-meter offshore patrol vessel, dubbed the Commodore Andreas Ioannides, to Cyprus in 2018. The Ioannides will be upgraded per today’s deal.
The Israeli MoD statement added: “The new OPV, alongside the upgraded OPV IOANNIDES, will support expanded patrol, surveillance, and search-and-rescue missions. By strengthening their capabilities and deepening their partnership, the two countries reaffirm their commitment to regional stability.”
While the statement did not specify just what types of upgrades the Ioannides will be receiving through today’s deal, Cypriot media have speculated that systems could include a naval version of Rafael’s Spike missile system, the Spike NLOS.
Further, the Israeli navy’s Sa’ar 6 vessel is equipped with Rafael’s Typhoon gun, as well as the naval version of the Iron Dome air defense system, called C-Dome — other options that could be included in the upgrade for Cyprus.
The statement did not include a dollar amount for the deal, nor did it specify a delivery date for the new OPV. Breaking Defense asked the Ministry of Defense and Rafael for comment on the systems, dollar value and delivery date, though neither responded by press time.
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Today’s signing is not a total surprise, as Cyprus Defense Minister Vasilis Palmas told the Cyprus Mail on Friday that the country would be acquiring a second patrol vessel from Israel. An Oct. 20 report from that same publication estimated the value of the deal to be €150 million ($167.7 million).
The agreement is another important step in strengthening the capabilities of Cyprus’ Naval Command, the ministry said, adding that the vessel and upgrades will enhance “its capacity to respond to maritime security challenges.”
In addition to the OPVs, Cyprus operates several other Israeli defense systems. For instance, the Cypriot National Guard uses Rafael’s Spike LR2 anti-tank missile system. The country also uses Israel Aerospace Systems’ Barak MX air defense system.
Additionally, reports in 2022 indicated that Cyprus was looking to acquire Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system made by Rafael.
Israel has also begun deepening its ties with Greece. In August, Israel and Greece signed the multi-billion-dollar Achilles Shield deal to supply Greece with Israeli air defense systems. The two countries also conducted a joint naval drill in the eastern Mediterranean on Sunday
The developments come just days after a controversial deal between Libya and Turkey to delimit maritime boundaries in the eastern Mediterranean, building off a yearslong dispute over territorial rights in the region. Israel, Greece and Cyprus were among the nations that opposed the deal.
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