Cyprus is in advanced negotiations with Israeli defence companies Israel Shipyards and Rafael on a deal worth about 150 million euros for naval vessels equipped with advanced weapons systems, according to Israeli financial newspaper Calcalist, as reported by euronews.gr.
The deal is expected to be signed in the coming weeks, once the defence ministries of Israel and Cyprus have finalised its terms, the newspaper reported.
Under the planned programme, Israel Shipyards would supply the vessels, which would be fitted with Rafael weapons systems. The deal is being pursued through a government-to-government (G2G) framework. The two companies have also worked together on other defence programmes, including deals involving Azerbaijan and the Philippines.
Israeli defence sources cited by Calcalist believe the deal could open the way for further commercial cooperation, including in defence industrial production.
Rafael and Israel Shipyards did not comment on the report or the deal.
Less than a decade ago, Israel Shipyards supplied Cyprus with a patrol vessel to protect its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The vessel has radar, command and control systems, and two Typhoon naval weapon stations.
According to the report, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has supplied Cyprus with the Barak MX air and missile defence system. The system was shown in public at a military parade in Nicosia in early October marking the 66th anniversary of the Republic of Cyprus’s independence. Israel has not officially confirmed the sale.
Rafael and IAI systems will also be used in Greece’s ‘Achilles Shield’ multi-layered air defence network, under a deal worth 3 billion euros that Israel and Greece signed in August.
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