Cyprus Upgrades Defense with Israeli Air Defense System

Cyprus has taken a significant step in strengthening its defense capabilities with the delivery of an Israeli air defense system, marking a shift in its military alliances. Local media reported on Thursday that the first deliveries of the Barak MX anti-aircraft system arrived on Tuesday. This new addition is part of Cyprus’s broader strategy to enhance its deterrence force, especially after losing a key military supplier in Russia.

Cypriot officials, while confirming the delivery, have declined to disclose the specifics of the agreement. However, President Nikos Christodoulides emphasized the importance of reinforcing the country's defense, stating, "We are doing everything necessary to bolster the deterrence force of Cyprus... a country under occupation and an EU member state in a region of particular geo-strategic importance."

Cyprus, which has been divided since the Turkish invasion of 1974, is seeking to modernize its defense infrastructure. The Barak MX system will gradually replace the aging Russian-made Tor M1 system, which has been impacted by the sanctions imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The sanctions disrupted Cyprus's access to spare parts and prevented upgrades to its existing defense systems.

Cyprus’s decision to turn to Israel and the European Union for new defense technologies comes as part of its efforts to diversify its military suppliers, moving away from reliance on Russia. The Barak MX system will enhance the island’s ability to defend itself, especially in the face of continued tensions with Turkey, which controls the northern part of the island.

This shift in defense procurement is not unprecedented; Cyprus's previous attempt to upgrade its air defense system in 1998 with Russian-made S-300 missiles led to a military standoff with Turkey, prompting the diversion of the system to Crete.

Cyprus's growing ties with the West, particularly with the US and Israel, are helping to shape its security strategy as the island nation continues to navigate the complexities of its geopolitical position.