Israel has signed an agreement to provide Cyprus with a second offshore patrol vessel, modernizing the island nation’s littoral surveillance capabilities.
‘Another Important Step’
Under the terms, Israel Shipyards will build the new vessel, while Rafael Advanced Defense Systems will integrate it with naval systems.
The 62-meter (203-foot) ship will join the Cypriot fleet to secure exclusive economic zones, monitor critical waterways, and counter security threats in the eastern Mediterranean.
Although officials did not formally release financial figures, local Cypriot media reported that the procurement package is valued at approximately 150 million euros ($166.7 million).
Additional details regarding the platform’s specifications were not disclosed.
At the same time, Tel Aviv will also upgrade the combat systems on the Commodore Andreas Ioannides (P61), an Israeli-built offshore patrol boat delivered to the Cypriot Naval Command in 2018.
That hull is armed with Raphael’s Typhoon remote-controlled weapon stations. Depending on its configuration, it fires a 12.7mm or 7.62mm machine gun or a 40mm grenade launcher at a rate exceeding 300 rounds per minute.
