Israeli firms to supply naval vessels and weapon systems to South Cyprus

According to a report by Politis, an agreement on the supply of naval vessels and weapon systems to South Cyprus is expected to be signed in the coming weeks, once final arrangements between South Cyprus and the Israeli Ministry of Defence are completed.

Under the agreement, Israel Shipyards is expected to supply the Greek Cypriot navy with boats that will carry weapon systems from Rafael. The article notes that Israel Shipyards and Rafael have cooperated in the past on armament programmes involving South Cyprus and other countries. It also recalled that less than ten years ago, Israel Shipyards delivered to the Greek Cypriot administration a patrol boat, management and control systems, and two naval weapon systems named Typhoon, to protect what the article calls the so-called Greek Cypriot exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

The new initiative, advanced through a government-to-government (G2G) intergovernmental agreement, aims to further strengthen defence, diplomatic and economic relations between the two countries.