PLANT IN CYPRUS FOR TANK UPGRADE AND APC SUBSIDIARY IN CYPRUS BY THE GREEK INDUSTRY EODH - Filenews 1/3 by Andreas Pogiatzis
The overworked fleet of tanks and armoured personnel carriers (APCs) of the National Guard has been on a path of obsolescence for years, remaining in operational condition mainly thanks to the persistent efforts and know-how of the experienced technicians and engineers of the Army. However, the current situation cannot be considered sustainable in the long term. The absence of comprehensive planning carries the risk that the Republic of Cyprus will find itself without modern and reliable means of combat, which makes it imperative to take strategic and long-term decisions at the level of the Government.
In this context, the presence and movements of the Greek defense company EODH, which announced in the Battlefield Redefined Defense and Security report, that it has established its subsidiary EODH Dynamics in Cyprus, with the prospect of creating a modern factory unit in the country, is of particular interest. According to information from "F", the company has officially expressed to the Cypriot Government its interest in concluding an agreement that will concern the modernization and upgrading of all tanks, IFVs and APCs of the National Guard. At the same time, as the company's people told F, a proposal has been put on the table for the participation of the Republic of Cyprus in the share capital of EODH Dynamics, a development that could link the renewal of the means of the National Guard with the development of the domestic defense industrial base, the long-term strengthening of the country's defense autonomy and in general the creation of great added value.
In fact, according to the same information, the government of Nikos Christodoulidis views the proposal positively. Both the Government of Nicos Anastasiades and the current Government set as a condition for cooperation the creation of the factory unit and the modernization and upgrade project to be carried out exclusively in Cyprus, which, as we mentioned, is in line with the company's planning.
It is noted, however, that in case an agreement is reached and the creation of a factory unit in Cyprus is promoted, the training of staff in Greece will be mandatory, in the context of preparation for the operation and transfer of know-how.
As "F" is informed, the relevant discussions had already begun during the period of the government of Nicos Anastasiades, but without proceeding to a substantial stage. However, on the part of the company, they declare readiness to speed up the talks, so that they can proceed with the slogan and the plans for the creation of a factory. The company also claims that it will be able to upgrade 40 to 50 vehicles a year, a number that will increase over the years, with costs that will vary by vehicle configuration. As the people of EODH told Filenews, in discussions with the Government, they offered a package for a 15-year warranty and certification of the new upgraded vehicles by a foreign independent body, as well as continuous support (FOS) to all the needs of the EODH vehicles.
The people of EODH are already in contact with the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) and the Cyprus Association of Research and Innovation Enterprises (KSEEK), while they have developed partnerships with Cypriot defense companies from previous years.
Regarding its activities in Greece, the company has three factories in Thessaloniki, which are active in the manufacture of armor for Leopard 2AV and A8 tanks, PUMA IFVs as well as BOXER IFRS. According to information we received from the company, a fourth unit will be opened within the next year, which will manufacture tanks entirely.
What EODH offers
By utilizing steel from Sweden, which is considered one of the highest quality in Europe, the company has the ability to proceed with a complete upgrade of a vehicle, covering both its armor and its mechanical parts, as well as its armament.
According to the company's proposal, the Leonidas APCs can be configured in many versions, which will increase their operational value but above all will provide greater protection to the staff. These are personnel transport vehicles (APCs), combat vehicles (IFVs), command vehicles (CPs), 80 mm mortar carriers. and 120 thousand, wounded evacuation vehicles (MEDEVAC), vehicles for boom repairs as well as vehicles for demining.
The company has submitted a proposal to upgrade both AMX-30B2 tanks, BMP-3 armoured fighting vehicles, and T-80 tanks. In a broader context, Cyprus does not have the fiscal capacity to replace all the tanks and armoured personnel carriers of the National Guard with modern and newer generation means, due to the particularly high cost.
Indicatively, the procurement of a new armoured combat vehicle can range from €10 to €25 million, depending on the configuration, equipment and operational requirements, making the modernization of existing means a more realistic and economically viable option for the Republic.
