Negotiations over a new €150 million Cyprus Israel naval deal are at an advanced stage, with the proposed agreement covering the purchase of warships equipped with Israeli weapons systems.
According to a report by Israeli financial newspaper Calcalist, Israel Shipyards and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems are close to finalising a joint agreement with the Republic of Cyprus, which is expected to be signed in the coming weeks.
The deal is being negotiated at government-to-government (G2G) level, with the defence ministries of both countries in the final stages of determining its terms.
Warships to carry Israeli weapons systems
Under the proposed arrangement, Israel Shipyards will supply the vessels to the Cyprus Navy, while Rafael will provide the weapons systems with which they will be equipped.
The report does not specify the number of vessels, their exact type or the particular weapons systems included in the negotiations.
The two Israeli companies have previously worked together on defence procurement programmes in Cyprus and other countries, including Azerbaijan and the Philippines.
Less than a decade ago, Israel Shipyards supplied the Republic of Cyprus with an offshore patrol vessel designed to protect its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
That vessel is equipped with radar, command-and-control systems and two remotely operated Typhoon naval weapons stations.
Defence cooperation amid regional tensions
Calcalist reports that the proposed Cyprus Israel naval deal forms part of broader efforts to deepen defence, diplomatic and economic relations between the two countries.
The cooperation carries particular geopolitical significance amid heightened regional tensions and growing Turkish influence in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The Israeli report also links the prospective agreement to the wider strategic partnership between Israel, Cyprus and Greece.
In this context, Calcalist refers to a €3 billion agreement between Greece and Israel for the Achilles Shield programme, which it says was signed last August. The programme involves establishing a multilayered air defence network using systems developed by Rafael and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
Naval deal follows Barak MX deployment
The proposed naval agreement would build on existing cooperation between Cyprus and Israel in air defence.
Israel Aerospace Industries has supplied Cyprus with the Barak MX air and missile defence system, which was publicly displayed during the military parade in Nicosia on 1 October, marking the 66th anniversary of Cyprus’s independence.
The system’s appearance highlighted the strengthening of defence ties between the two countries. If the new agreement is finalised, that cooperation would expand further into the naval sector.
According to Israeli defence sources cited by Calcalist, the agreement could also pave the way for additional commercial partnerships, including potential cooperation in the production of defence equipment.
However, the Cyprus Israel naval deal has not yet been signed. Both Rafael and Israel Shipyards declined to comment on the information reported by the Israeli newspaper.
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