By Bosphorus News Defense Desk
Israel and the Republic of Cyprus signed an agreement on October 26, 2026, for a second offshore patrol vessel (OPV) and the modernization of the Cypriot navy's existing Commodore Andreas Ioannides (P61). Israel Shipyards will supply the new ship, with naval systems provided by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.
The agreement was signed in Cyprus by Israeli Defense Ministry Director General Amir Baram and Stelios Kountouris, acting permanent secretary of the Republic of Cyprus Ministry of Defence. Both ministries confirmed the purchase but disclosed neither its cost nor the weapons selected for the new vessel.
Cypriot Defense Minister Vasilis Palmas had confirmed the planned acquisition three days earlier. Speaking to state broadcaster CyBC, he said the navy would receive another ship similar to the Ioannides, which entered service in January 2018.
"We will get another one just like it, so we will have two," Palmas said, according to Cyprus Mail.
Hull Reportedly Completed, Delivery Expected in 2028
Cypriot media have identified the new vessel as a Sa'ar 62-class OPV, belonging to the same family as the Ioannides. Neither defense ministry specified the class in its official announcement.
Phileleftheros reported on October 20 that Israel Shipyards had already completed the hull, potentially shortening the construction schedule. The newspaper expects delivery by mid-2028 at the latest.
The newspaper put the cost of the new vessel and its weapons systems at approximately €150 million, saying the amount had been approved by parliament's Defence Committee. Israeli financial publications Calcalist and Globes also reported a deal of similar value.
Neither defense ministry has confirmed the final contract value or announced a delivery date.
The existing Ioannides is a 62-metre vessel based on Israel Shipyards' Sa'ar 4.5 design. It has a maximum speed of approximately 32 knots and carries radar, command-and-control equipment and two Rafael Typhoon weapon stations. The manufacturer's specifications for its 62-metre OPV design list a range of 3,200 nautical miles at 18 knots.
The agreement also provides for the modernization of the Ioannides, although the equipment to be replaced or upgraded has not been identified.
Weapons Configuration Remains Unclear
Phileleftheros expects both vessels to receive advanced Rafael equipment. The configuration of the new ship, however, remains undisclosed.
Defense Mirror lists Rafael's Spike NLOS precision-guided missiles and the C-Dome naval air defense system among potential weapons options for vessels of this type. Neither system has been confirmed for the Cypriot order.
The October 26 announcements refer to a range of Rafael naval systems without identifying missiles, launchers or radar equipment.
The final weapons configuration will determine whether the new vessel's capabilities extend beyond offshore patrol, maritime surveillance and search-and-rescue operations. For the Naval Command, the acquisition will provide a second Israeli-built OPV alongside the modernization of a ship already in service.
Israel's Growing Role in Cypriot Defense
The purchase follows several years of Israeli defense sales to the Republic of Cyprus, including the BARAK MX air and missile defense system supplied by Israel Aerospace Industries.
The relationship has also developed on the industrial side. Israeli defense companies have examined possible operations in Cyprus linked to European Union SAFE-funded procurement, although no such procurement arrangement has been announced.
The agreement comes amid closer defense cooperation between Israel, Greece and the Republic of Cyprus. On September 4, Palmas described Türkiye as a common threat to all three countries while discussing the Greek-Israeli Achilles Shield air defense programme. Neither government's announcement of the patrol vessel agreement identified Türkiye as its intended target.
The Republic of Cyprus is also preparing to expand its naval infrastructure. Palmas said a Greek company had been commissioned to study improvements to the Evangelos Florakis naval base at Mari, including facilities capable of accommodating at least eight allied warships. Work is expected to begin towards the end of spring 2027.
The naval base expansion is a separate project from the Israeli shipbuilding agreement, with no direct operational connection publicly established between the two programmes.
Sources: Republic of Cyprus Ministry of Defence; Israel Ministry of Defense; Israel Shipyards; Janes; Phileleftheros; Calcalist; Globes; Cyprus Mail; Defense Mirror; Bosphorus News review and reporting.