Israel will supply Cyprus with a new offshore patrol vessel under an agreement signed Monday by the two countries’ defense ministries.
The vessel will be built by Israel Shipyards and fitted with a range of naval systems made by Rafael, Israel’s Defense Ministry said. Under the deal, the systems aboard Cyprus’s existing patrol vessel, the Commodore Andreas Ioannides, also built by Israel Shipyards, will be upgraded as well.
The agreement was signed by Defense Ministry Director General Amir Baram and his Cypriot counterpart, Stelios Kountouris.
The Defense Ministry said the deal “marks another important step in strengthening the operational capabilities of the Cyprus Naval Command and enhancing its capacity to respond to maritime security challenges.” The new vessel and the upgraded Commodore Andreas Ioannides will support expanded patrol, surveillance and search-and-rescue missions, the ministry added.
Last week, the Israeli financial daily Calcalist reported that Israel Shipyards and Rafael were close to a government-to-government deal with Cyprus worth about €150 million. The Defense Ministry did not disclose the value of the signed agreement.
