The two ships will support expanded patrol, surveillance and search-and-rescue operations. Israel’s Ministry of Defense said the agreement would strengthen the Cyprus Naval Command’s ability to respond to maritime security challenges.
Israeli Defence Ministry Director General Maj. Gen. (Res.) Amir Baram and Stelios Kountouris, acting permanent secretary of Cyprus’s Ministry of Defence, signed the agreement in Cyprus on Monday. The announcement did not disclose its value, a delivery schedule or the Rafael systems to be installed.
Israel’s International Defense Cooperation Directorate, SIBAT, and Cyprus’s Armaments & Defence Capabilities Development Directorate led the agreement. SIBAT head Brig. Gen. (Res.) Yair Kulas attended the ceremony alongside Israeli Ambassador Shuli Davidovich, Israel Shipyards chief executive Eitan Zucker and Rafael naval warfare systems director Ran Tavor.
