The defense ministries of Cyprus and Israel have signed a landmark agreement for a new Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV).
The two nations finalized the major defense deal on Monday, October 26, 2026. While official government statements do not disclose the exact contract value, Israeli media reports place the total budget at roughly €150 million.
Permanent Secretary of the Cypriot Ministry of Defence Stelios Kountouris signed the bilateral security pact alongside his Israeli counterpart, Amir Baram. The strategic acquisition aims to directly enhance the operational capabilities of the Cyprus Naval Command amid rising geopolitical tensions across the Eastern Mediterranean region.
Integrating Israel shipyards engineering with Rafael weaponry
The upcoming combat ship will deploy maritime hardware to ensure rapid response capabilities at sea. State-owned manufacturer Israel Shipyards will construct the heavy hull of the new Offshore Patrol Vessel. Major defense contractor Rafael Advanced Defense Systems will also equip the vessel with an array of advanced naval combat suites.
The finalized defense package also includes an immediate structural upgrade for an existing asset in the Cypriot fleet. Technical crews will systematically overhaul the onboard weapon systems of the patrol vessel Commodore Andreas Ioannides (P61).
This older patrol ship also originates from an Israeli shipyard, allowing for seamless hardware integration across both active platforms.
Supporting expanded patrol
The Israel Ministry of Defense stated that the contract marks a vital milestone in deepening cross-border security cooperation. The defense ministry confirmed the dual vessels will support expanded patrol, persistent surveillance, and critical search-and-rescue operations.
Both Mediterranean nations formally reconfirmed their long-term commitment to maintaining regional stability and securing critical international shipping lanes.
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