Israel sees potential for joint defense projects with Cyprus — Cyprus Mail
Israel views Cyprus as an increasingly important partner in the defense sector and sees opportunities to deepen cooperation between the defense industries of the two countries. The Israeli Embassy in Nicosia told Cyprus Mail about this.
The diplomatic mission said that bilateral relations are based on mutual trust, shared interests and a commitment to regional stability. Israel also welcomed Cyprus' efforts to strengthen its own defense industry and called on companies from both countries to seek opportunities for partnerships, joint projects and technological cooperation.
Procurement and funding
Cyprus is purchasing Israeli systems, including the Barak MX air defense system. At the same time, Greece is implementing the Achilles Shield program worth €3.035 billion, a significant part of which is based on Israeli technologies.
Cyprus has access to nearly €1.2 billion under the EU's SAFE defense mechanism, and the country has already received €177.2 million in pre-financing. Retired Greek Air Force Vice Marshal Ioannis Anastasakis said that Cyprus should develop its own defense industry and participate in European programs. According to him, cooperation with Greek and Israeli enterprises should be determined primarily by operational needs.
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Cyprus' Defense Minister Vasilis Palmas previously named the development of unmanned and counter-drone capabilities, surveillance, critical infrastructure protection and strengthening air defense as priorities.
Conditions for the defense industry
Strategy International Director Marios Efthymiopoulos cautioned against overstating Cyprus' existing industrial capabilities. In his view, the country can develop research and development, specialized manufacturing, cybersecurity, counter-drone capabilities, testing facilities and startups by attracting Israeli and Greek investment and integrating Cypriot companies into real supply chains.
He stressed that registering a foreign company in Cyprus does not in itself mean creating a defense industry. According to the expert's assessment, in order to participate in SAFE procurement, entities must meet the mechanism's requirements, including restrictions concerning ownership by companies from third countries and components.
Efthymiopoulos also believes that Cyprus, Greece and Israel lack a permanent trilateral mechanism involving governments, armed forces, industry, universities and research centers. Such a format could provide for regular working groups, joint threat assessments and crisis-response mechanisms.
