- Cyprus has rejected her interests away from Russia to the US.
- She has been replacing her Russian weapons, and can now take us weapons more easily.
- It has been replaced by helicopters and air protection. A security expert said armor may be other.
A former Russian partner and the so-called “unexplained aircraft carrier” strategically located in the Mediterranean has approached the US much closer in recent years and can now get its hands more easily on US weapons.
Under a directive signed at the end of the latest US administration, Cyprus is now included in foreign military sales programs (FMS) and excess protection items (Eda). Moreover, the Cypriot National Guard, the country’s military force, will now be able to participate in more training initiatives with US troops.
Cyprus involvement in these two programs is important – especially as the country is continuing its Western reorientation and slowly removing its Russian weapons.
Come and buy
The foreign military sales program enables the Defense Department to buy weapons directly from US weapons manufacturers on behalf of partner countries, simplifying the process for the buyer. And the excessive protection program allows partner countries to receive excessive US protection or priced excessive equipment to modernize their forces.
A 1987 US arms embargo earlier led the Cypriot government to go to Russia for many of its weapons as it followed a close relationship with Moscow.
However, in recent years, especially after the Russians invaded Ukraine in 2022, Cyprus is distanced from Moscow and has repeatedly replaced its Russian weapons.
The US partially raised the weapon embargo in 2020 and two years later raised it completely undergoing an annual assessment.
In 2023, Cyprus replaced its Russian helicopters mil mi-35p attack with French Airbus, and last December, it bought Israeli Barack Missile Systems 8 surface to replace the Tor M-1 and its Russian bread. Beyond vehicles and air protection, vehicles can be other.
“While the policy of diverting itself from Russian equipment is continuing, two major purchases represent future logical projects: the main battle tanks and armored fighting vehicles,” said Andrew Novo, a professor of strategic studies at the National University of Defense for Business Insider.
M2 Bradley, an armor vehicle, has proven himself in Ukraine. Reuters/Stringer
The National Cypriot Guard uses the main T-80 Russian battle tanks and armored BMP armored fighting vehicles, so “US tanks M1 and Bradley M2 (or other) armored vehicles would be logical candidates to replace existing reserves,” Novo said. Patrol boats up to Corvette size units, attack rifles and communication equipment can also be an advantage, he added.
Both M1 Abrams tanks and armored Bradley armored fighting vehicles are highly valued, and Bradleys have proven their value in the Ukrainian battlefields, even leaving against the tanks.
Some of the current Cyprus weapons can end there, too.
Although she had initially rejected the idea of sending her old Russian weapons to Ukraine, citing concerns about her own safety-as a Turkish occupation in 1974, the northern island was occupied by Turkish forces and detacred deacon-buying US systems could allow it to do so.
“Such an opportunity may be considered provided that this device is replaced with equivalent or better equipment,” said the then President of Nicos Anastasiades in 2022.
Looking forward
It is unclear what direction Trump’s new administration can take, but the involvement of Cyprus in these programs can pave the way for a full increase in the weapon embargo, removing the annual evaluation as well as strengthening relations with the US
Changing estimates can mean major changes. “In general, the adoption of a new weapon system is a perennial process – sometimes more than a decade,” Novo said. “The Cypriot government cannot order a US weapons system and risk maintenance or procurement based on a year -to -year waiver.”
Both countries are strengthening their military cooperation in other ways as well. In September, they signed a framework agreement on defense cooperation to better respond to humanitarian crises and security concerns and to increase the interaction between US and Cypriot forces.
Special Cypriot Operations Units have often trained with their American counterparts, and in 2023, a US nuclear energy submarine first dumped in Limassol’s Cypriot Port.
There has been a military cooperation between the US and Cyprus, including in the special operations space. Photo of the US Navy by specialist
Marines and American aircraft located in Cyprus last year in preparation for a possible evacuation of US citizens from Lebanon, and now, the US Air Force is considering improving the main air base of Cyprus to use it for humanitarian operations in the region.
The island sits in a strategic place in the eastern Mediterranean, just about 100 miles away, and provides access to North Africa and Asia Minor. It is often described as an “unexplained aircraft carrier”.
President Cypriot has expressed his commitment to expanding his country’s defense and security cooperation with SH.BA
“It is about the best interest of the US and Cyprus to maintain and develop this relationship, and the US is proving that by investing in the protection and security infrastructure in Cyprus,” Novo said.