Negotiations for an agreement worth about €150 million are at an advanced stage. between the Israeli defense companies Israel Shipyards and Rafael and the Republic of Cyprus, with the object of supplying naval vessels equipped with advanced weapons systems, according to a report in the Israeli financial newspaper Calcalist.
The agreement is expected to be signed in the coming weeks, after the finalization of the terms between the Ministries of Defense of Israel and Cyprus.
The agreement under development is expected to substantially strengthen the defense cooperation between Israel and Cyprus, while expanding the capabilities of the Cyprus National Guard in the maritime sector. At the same time, it highlights the willingness of the two countries to deepen their strategic relations, at a time when security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean are becoming increasingly important.
Collaboration with strategic depth
Under the planned program, Israel Shipyards will undertake the procurement of the naval vessels, which will be equipped with Rafael weapon systems. The agreement is being promoted through a Government-to-Government (G2G) framework, which gives the initiative a broader institutional and strategic dimension.
The cooperation of the two Israeli companies with Cyprus does not start from scratch. Less than a decade ago, Israel Shipyards had supplied the Republic of Cyprus with a patrol boat to protect its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The vessel has radar, command and control systems, as well as two Typhoon naval armament stations.
At the same time, Israel Shipyards and Rafael have cooperated on other defense programs, including agreements involving Azerbaijan and the Philippines. The possible new agreement with Cyprus therefore comes to utilize the existing know-how and cooperation of the Israeli defense industry.
Cyprus at the heart of Israeli defence cooperation
The maritime agreement under negotiation is part of a broader framework for strengthening the defense and diplomatic relations between Israel and Cyprus. The presence of Israeli systems in the Cypriot defense architecture is also indicative.
According to the report, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has supplied Cyprus with the Barak MX air and missile defense system. The system was publicly unveiled at a military parade in Nicosia in early October, as part of the events marking the 66th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Cyprus. Although Israel has not officially confirmed the relevant agreement, the public presentation of the system highlighted the extent of the technological and defense interconnection between the two countries.
Strengthening these ties is of particular importance in light of regional rivalries and tensions with Turkey, as well as the wider implications of the protracted conflict in the Middle East.
The Israel-Cyprus-Greece axis
The defense rapprochement between Israel and Cyprus is linked to the broader strategic cooperation between Israel and Greece, forming a network of relations with particular importance for security in the Eastern Mediterranean.
In August, Israel and Greece signed a $3 billion deal. euros for the "Achilles Shield" program, with the aim of creating a multi-level Greek air defense network, utilizing systems of Rafael and Israel Aerospace Industries.
These parallel initiatives reflect the growing importance of defence cooperation between the three countries, both at the level of armament programmes and at the level of strategic coordination. For Cyprus, in particular, the deepening of relations with Israel creates prospects for upgrading its operational capabilities and strengthening cooperation in areas of high defense technology.
Prospects for new cooperation
In addition to the supply of naval vessels and weapons systems, Israeli defense sources cited by Calcalist estimate that the agreement could pave the way for further trade cooperation, even in the field of defense industrial production.
Such a development could give a long-term character to the cooperation between Israel and Cyprus, going beyond the framework of a single armaments procurement and creating additional possibilities for the transfer of know-how and the development of joint activities.
Rafael and Israel Shipyards did not comment on the publication and the deal under development.
euronews.gr
