Nicosia intends to make full use of the financial opportunities offered by the EU’s SAFE regulation to strengthen the deterrent capabilities of the National Guard through the borrowing instrument provided by the European Union.
Several contracts have already progressed, with smaller defence programmes expected to enter the National Guard’s arsenal soon. These include unmanned aerial vehicles and other systems that require relatively short production times.
Larger procurement programmes, including armoured vehicles, are expected to begin being implemented from 2028 onwards due to high demand in the global defence market.
EBRC Jaguar among planned armoured vehicles
As part of Cyprus’ plans to strengthen the National Guard’s armoured units and capabilities, the modern EBRC Jaguar armoured combat vehicle is among the options being considered.
The 6×6 vehicle is manufactured by KNDS France, formerly Nexter Systems, Arquus and Thales. It was developed under France’s SCORPION programme to modernise the country’s land forces and is designed to gradually replace the older AMX-10RC and ERC-90 Sagaie.
The Jaguar can operate in open terrain as well as urban and mountainous environments and has a three-person crew.
Its main feature is its firepower. The vehicle is equipped with a 40mm CT40 cannon, a remotely operated 7.62mm machine gun and an Akeron MP anti-tank missile launcher, with two missiles ready to fire and two in reserve.
The cannon can use several types of ammunition, including armour-piercing, explosive and programmable airburst rounds.
If Cyprus acquires the vehicles, they would reportedly be added to the National Guard as a complementary capability rather than replacing vehicles already held in large numbers.
The French Army currently operates 128 EBRC Jaguars and is expected to receive another 30 in 2026. Belgium has ordered 60 vehicles, Luxembourg 38, while Ireland has also ordered an unspecified number.
Cyprus has a longstanding tradition of acquiring French-origin armoured equipment, making the potential choice of French vehicles significant.
French Griffon and Serval vehicles considered
The National Guard’s procurement plans also include two options for wheeled armoured personnel carriers, both from the French defence industry.
According to a La Tribune report published in March, Nicosia is considering the purchase of around 80 Griffon and approximately 100 Serval vehicles from KNDS France.
Some of these vehicles could be equipped with Akeron MP anti-tank missiles manufactured by MBDA.
La Tribune also reported that Cyprus was in talks with French company Arquus over the potential upgrade of around 80 VAB armoured vehicles currently operated by the National Guard.
Pressure continues over Merkava tanks
The decision to upgrade and modernise Cyprus’ armoured forces has been significantly delayed.
Cyprus needs a new main battle tank to replace the role currently performed by its Russian-made T-80 tanks, whose maintenance has become increasingly expensive and economically unsustainable.
Nicosia appears to have focused on Israeli Merkava Mk3 or Mk4 tanks. Reports indicate that Cyprus has been pressing Israel to agree to provide a significant number of the vehicles to the National Guard.
However, views within the Israeli government reportedly remain divided. Some officials support transferring Merkava tanks to Cyprus, while others want the vehicles to remain available to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reserves.
Any such acquisition would be funded through the Defence Ministry’s equipment procurement budget.
The Merkava is considered suitable for the National Guard partly because of the similarities between the terrain of Cyprus and Israel. The geographical proximity of the manufacturer country would also facilitate logistical support for the vehicles.
Also read: Cyprus plans to buy Israeli Merkava tanks raise concerns in Ankara
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