According to a report Friday in Kathimerini, the Cypriot Defense Ministry has begun to “implement the government’s decision to purchase” the Iron Dome, and agreements pertaining to the deal have already been signed with Israel.
The paper did not say how many batteries would be purchased, and there was no indication of when they were to arrive.
Israel’s Defense Ministry did not respond to requests for comment on the matter.
In March, the chief of the Cypriot military, Demokritos Zervakis, was in Israel on a first visit, which included a tour of an Iron Dome battery.
Last week, Defense Minister Benny Gantz hosted his Cypriot counterpart at the Israel Defense Forces headquarters in Tel Aviv. Thanking Charalambos Petrides for his country’s military cooperation with Israel, Gantz said, “In such challenging times, partnerships are crucial.”
According to Kathimerini, the Iron Dome would be used by Cyprus against potential hostile Turkish actions, including drones, from the mainland or Turkish-occupied Northern Cyprus.
With its 70-kilometer range, one system could cover the entire island, the report said.
Cyprus reconsiders defense strategy amidst global conflicts (1. Juli 2024)
According to a report by Apostolos Tomaras in this Sunday's Kathimerini, this evolving scenario will impact Cyprus in several ways, particularly affecting the armament programs of its National Guard. Some of these programs, including the acquisition of Israeli military systems, have been delayed due to the current conflict with Hamas. Additionally, the war in Ukraine is pushing the EU to explore European alternatives for military equipment.
The shifting defense landscape also aims to align Cyprus more closely with NATO, the predominant military alliance in Europe. The National Guard's anti-aircraft capabilities have been bolstered with the Israeli Barak-MX system, although its operational status remains unclear due to export bans. This system complements existing TOR M1 and BUK missile systems, enhancing Cyprus' air defense.
