Cyprus rejects Greek Leopard 1A5 tanks after National Guard inspection

Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus has rejected the possibility of receiving Leopard 1A5 tanks from Greece after a National Guard delegation inspected the vehicles and concluded they did not meet operational requirements, including as an interim solution.

Inspection findings

According to Phileleftheros, the Cypriot delegation travelled to Greece to assess the condition of Leopard 1A5 tanks that Athens was prepared to make available.

The inspection found that the vehicles could not meet the National Guard’s requirements. There is currently no agreement between Cyprus and Greece on their transfer, despite earlier reports that discussions on a possible deal had been advancing.

Need for replacement platforms

The National Guard’s T-80 tanks are Russian-built, with the availability of spare parts, ammunition and technical support becoming increasingly difficult amid sanctions and deteriorating relations between Russia and the West.

The Leopard 1A5 had been considered because it is used by the Hellenic Army and could have supported closer logistical and training cooperation. However, the condition of the vehicles offered by Greece appears to have ruled out the proposal.

Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas had previously declined to comment on a possible Leopard acquisition, saying the ministry did not publicly discuss National Guard matters.

Merkava discussions

Efforts to secure alternative platforms have also faced constraints. Reports indicate that discussions on acquiring Israeli Merkava tanks did not progress, mainly because of production demands for Israel’s military occupation in southern Lebanon by the Israel Defence Forces.

The Merkava, meaning “Chariot” in Hebrew, is an Israeli battle tank designed with emphasis on crew protection and resistance to drone attacks.