Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas has confirmed that Cyprus will buy a second offshore patrol vessel from Israel, with the contract expected to be signed next week.
Speaking on state television, Palmas said the ship would be similar to the ‘Ioannides’ patrol vessel already operated by the National Guard Navy.
“We will get another one the same, so that we have two,” he said, adding that the new ship would strengthen Cyprus’s operational capabilities and maritime security.
Palmas also said an agreement had been signed with a Greek company to carry out the study for upgrading the naval base. Under the plans, the upgraded base will be able to host warships and submarines, he said.
He said he expected upgrade work at both the naval base and the ‘Andreas Papandreou’ air base to begin around the end of spring 2027.
Israeli media had already reported the purchase, he said.
