developing· Security· Updated 15:12

Israel to Equip Cypriot Navy with Advanced Patrol Ship for €150 Million

Israel and Cyprus signed a major defense export agreement on Monday, October 26, 2026, under which Israel will supply Cyprus with a new, advanced offshore patrol vessel. The deal, valued at approximately 150 million euros according to Globes, also includes upgrading the systems of Cyprus's existing patrol vessel, the IOANNIDES.

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Israel to Equip Cypriot Navy with Advanced Patrol Ship for €150 Million — Illustration by baba

What happened

01Israel and Cyprus signed a defense export agreement on Monday, October 26, 2026, to supply Cyprus with a new offshore patrol vessel.
02According to Globes, the defense export agreement between Israel and Cyprus is valued at approximately 150 million euros.
03The new patrol vessel will be manufactured by Israel Shipyards and equipped with advanced naval systems from Rafael.
04The agreement includes upgrading the systems of Cyprus's existing patrol vessel, the IOANNIDES, which was also built by Israel Shipyards.
05The deal was signed in Nicosia by Cypriot official Stelios Kontoris and the Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Defense.
06The Israeli signatory was identified as Emir Baram by Ynetnews, Amir Yaron by Srugim, and Amir Yatom by Globes.
07The agreement aims to enhance the Cyprus Naval Command's capabilities in maritime security, surveillance, and search-and-rescue missions.

The new vessel will be manufactured by Israel Shipyards and equipped with advanced naval systems developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. The existing vessel, which was also built by Israel Shipyards, will undergo system upgrades. The agreement was finalized during a ceremony in Nicosia, Cyprus, and was led by SIBAT, the international defense cooperation division of the Israeli Ministry of Defense, and its Cypriot counterpart.

The accord was signed by the Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Defense and the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Cypriot Ministry of Defense, Stelios Kontoris (also referred to as Stelios Kountouris). While Ynetnews and Israel National News identified the Israeli signatory as Maj. Gen. (Res.) Emir Baram, other outlets including Srugim, Bizportal, JDN, and Hamal identified him as Maj. Gen. (Res.) Amir Yaron, and Globes named him as Maj. Gen. (Res.) Amir Yatom.

The ceremony was attended by SIBAT Director Brig. Gen. (Res.) Yair Kulas, Israeli Ambassador to Cyprus Shuli Davidovich, Israel Shipyards CEO Eitan Zucker, and Ran Tabor, Head of the Naval Systems Directorate at Rafael. The agreement aims to bolster the operational capabilities of the Cyprus Naval Command, enhancing its maritime security, surveillance, and search-and-rescue operations.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 8 newsrooms. Updated 15:22