Newsroom
According to Apostolos Tomaras in this Sunday's Kathimerini, France is working to maintain a strong foothold in Cyprus' National Guard as the Republic of Cyprus upgrades its military arsenal. France, one of the few countries that supported Cyprus during the U.S. arms embargo, is actively pursuing a share of these defense contracts, including tank upgrades and other weapons systems. This is part of France's broader strategy of defense diplomacy to bolster its military industry.
France has already supplied attack helicopters to Cyprus and is now positioning itself in the competition to replace the Russian T80-U tanks in Cyprus' fleet, facing stiff competition from Germany's Leopard tanks. In a bid to strengthen its position, France is offering additional military systems to Cyprus as part of a larger deal.
A key point in the negotiations is France's request to take back obsolete Mistral anti-aircraft systems that Cyprus purchased 40 years ago, which are now mainly used for training. France hopes to repurpose these systems for Ukraine's military. Cyprus has about 150 to 170 Mistral systems, and their operational cycle has ended. In exchange, Cyprus would receive financial benefits, such as discounts on new Mistral systems or other French-made weapons. Sources indicate Cyprus is open to the offer but may negotiate for better terms before making a final decision, as military officials advise caution to secure the best compensatory terms.
In addition to the Mistral systems, France is also advocating for Cyprus to purchase French-made Leclerc main battle tanks, as it competes with Germany's military industry for a potential €250 million contract. It's unclear whether France is offering new or used Leclerc tanks, with some reports suggesting the possibility of second-hand units from a batch previously sold to the United Arab Emirates. The French are leveraging their past support during the U.S. embargo, when they provided modern weapons to Cyprus, to strengthen their position in the current bidding process.
France has a long history of supplying weapons to Cyprus, with French-made systems playing a key role in the National Guard’s arsenal. Over the last decade, Cyprus has spent around €310 million on French military equipment. Recently, Cyprus upgraded its Mistral and Exocet systems and added French anti-tank missiles and armored vehicles to its forces.
Some of the key French military equipment in Cyprus includes attack helicopters, rocket systems, tanks, and self-propelled guns. The French are determined to secure long-term defense contracts with Cyprus amid growing competition from other European countries.
To read more about Apostolos Tomaras' story and gain full access to in-depth reports (in Greek), subscribe now to Kathimerini's print edition and stay informed with comprehensive coverage on this and more!
