Cyprus and Israel Sign Defence Deal for New Offshore Patrol Vessel

Nicosia, Cyprus. The defence ministries of Cyprus and Israel signed an agreement on Monday covering a new offshore patrol vessel for the Cypriot navy. Israel Shipyards will construct the ship, while Rafael Advanced Defence Systems will provide its naval systems.

Terms of the agreement

The navy’s existing vessel, the Ioannides, was also built by Israel Shipyards, and its systems will be upgraded under the deal. The agreement was signed by Stelios Kountouris, permanent secretary of the Cypriot defence ministry, and his Israeli counterpart, Amir Baram.

Israel described the accord as “a step towards stronger defence cooperation and regional stability”.

Earlier reports and confirmation

Israeli media had reported that Israel Shipyards and Rafael were close to concluding a €150 million agreement with Cyprus for naval vessels and weapons systems. On Friday, Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas confirmed the purchase in comments to CyBC, saying the new vessel would be fitted out in a manner similar to the Ioannides.

Mari naval base and air base

Palmas also said a contract had been signed with a Greek company for a study on upgrading the naval base at Mari, so that it could host at least eight Allied warships. He expects work on that project, as well as on the Andreas Papandreou air base, to start toward the end of next spring.

The Ioannides

The Ioannides was the first offshore patrol vessel of Cyprus. Israel Shipyards launched it from Haifa in September 2017, almost four years after the order was placed. It reportedly cost about €44 million and is equipped with radar, command and control systems and two Typhoon naval weapon stations.