Filenews 24 January 2026 - by Andreas Pogiatzis
The procurement of tanks is one of the most demanding and critical decisions for any army worldwide. The selection of the appropriate type must take into account a number of critical factors, such as geopolitical data, similarity with other military systems, as well as long-term strategic targeting. For the National Guard in particular, the purchase of tanks is a strategic decision that will determine the force's defense capability for decades to come, as tanks are typically purchased every 30 to 40 years.
Discussions about the new tanks have begun in recent years, with the options before the Ministry of Defense being clear. From the beginning, the options were limited, due to the geopolitical conditions that have developed in recent years.
Cyprus needs a tank that will meet its operational needs for at least the next 30 years. Unlike other larger and industrially advanced nations, our country does not have the ability to produce its own vehicle based on its own requirements. The type that will be selected should meet as best as possible the conditions of the Cypriot territory, the conditions and the mission it will be called upon to perform.
The European market
European market solutions for main battle tanks include the French Leclerc and the German Leopard 2, two highly advanced vehicles that are key pillars of the defense capability of many European and non-European states. These tanks were designed to respond to complex missions, and incorporate state-of-the-art observation, targeting, fire control and protection systems.
According to competent sources, of the two options of the European market, the choice of the French Leclerc is gaining more ground, due to a number of important parameters. In addition to the close bilateral relationship that Nicosia maintains with Paris, especially in matters of armaments and defense, the French market is considered the most prevalent in Cyprus' armaments choices. An important role in the decision is also played by the fact that Cyprus' SAFE program, which concerns the upgrade of military equipment, includes about 85% of purchases from France.
Nevertheless, according to estimates, the cost of purchasing the French Leclerc is €16 to €18 million per unit, an amount that is considered particularly high by Cyprus standards, even through the SAFE program.
The Israeli option
Talks between Nicosia and Tel Aviv on the purchase of used Merkava tanks (Mk III version) froze after the events of October 7, 2023. The Israeli leadership, seeking to keep all its tanks at full availability and ensure that its armoured units remain in full composition due to increased military needs, has decided to temporarily suspend negotiations with Cyprus. Despite the suspension, Tel Aviv assured Nicosia that talks will resume as soon as the crisis is restored and Israel's military needs allow it.
As for the unit cost for Merkava tanks, this varies greatly depending on the version and whether the vehicles are new or used. For used Merkava Mk IIIs, the price is around €4–5 million per tank (about €3.7–4.6 million), according to estimates based on open sources. On the other hand, the most modern Merkava Mk IVs are valued between €6–10 million (approximately €5.5–9.2 million), with prices contingent on negotiation terms, support packages, and export agreements.
This is a cost that is much lower than that of the European market. In fact, as far as the technical ones are concerned, they are not much different from European tanks, as they have compatible ammunition (120 thousand). and are in the same weight category. The Merkava are characterized by experts as vehicles with increased protection for the staff, while the conditions and standards of its construction match the field of Cyprus. The advantages also include the proximity of the distance for logistics and the ease of use of the system.
In the coming period, negotiations with Israel are expected to resume. As mentioned above, the Ministry of Defense wishes to equip the National Guard with a solution that will meet the needs of the army for decades to come. Within this framework, all data is counted, so that the best possible choice can be made without repeating the mistakes made in the past.
