Cyprus to upgrade ageing AMX-30 tanks, defence minister says

Larnaca, Cyprus. Cyprus will proceed with an upgrade of its ageing AMX-30 battle tanks because it has no current alternative to replace them, Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas said on Friday.

Upgrade plans

Palmas confirmed the modernisation programme after being asked about a report in the daily Alithia. The report said €25 million would be spent fitting thermal cameras to the tanks, despite the alleged existence of a classified report recommending their withdrawal.

Speaking on the sidelines of a swearing-in ceremony for newly recruited contract soldiers at the Larnaca recruitment centre, Palmas acknowledged that the tanks were old. He said they must continue to meet the National Guard’s operational needs until the country’s tank fleet can be renewed.

“At this moment there is no alternative solution as far as our tank fleet is concerned,” he said. The National Guard therefore had to modernise its existing tanks and adapt them to new conditions and requirements, he added.

“With the modernisation we are promoting, they will be given such capabilities that they can continue to serve the needs of the National Guard until we renew our tank fleet,” Palmas said.

Procurement process

Palmas rejected the impression that a single senior officer had decided to proceed with the upgrade. The Alithia report referred to an agreement by the National Guard’s deputy chief to install thermal cameras on the AMX-30s at a reported cost of €25 million.

Palmas said National Guard procurement decisions follow procedures set out in legislation governing the defence ministry’s internal operations. These involve the National Guard General Staff, the ministry’s armaments directorate and internal tender procedures.