Israel is once again looking at a tank deal with Cyprus that had already begun before the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. According to Israeli sources, the Defense Ministry is currently re-examining the sale of decommissioned Merkava Mk 3 battle tanks to the Cypriot armed forces. The plan apparently includes not only the delivery of the vehicles but also a comprehensive modernization with new sensors and active protection systems.
Cypriot Government Prefers Merkava
The Israeli government is again examining a possible export of decommissioned Merkava Mk 3 battle tanks to Cyprus. According to information from Israeli sources provided to the author, a corresponding request by the Cypriot government is again on the desk of the Israeli Ministry of Defense.
The original request dates back to a time before the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. With the start of the war, however, talks were suspended, as Israel focused all available resources on its own armed forces. Now the venture seems to be gaining importance again.
Replacement for Russian T-80U
Cyprus pursues with the planned purchase a clear goal: The aging fleet of Russian T-80U battle tanks is to be gradually replaced. According to Israeli information, Cyprus explicitly relies on the Merkava Mk 3. An alternative offer of used Leopard 1A5 from Greece was rejected by the Cypriot government, as the vehicles did not meet the operational requirements of the National Guard.
Modernization of the Merkava Mk 3
According to Israeli sources, however, it is not planned to deliver the tanks in their current state. Rather, the Merkava Mk 3 is to be comprehensively modernized before a possible handover. The plan includes, among other things, the integration of new sensors as well as an Active Protection System (APS) that can detect incoming anti-tank weapons and counter them before impact. This would give the vehicles, despite their age, capabilities that are now regarded as indispensable even in modern main battle tanks.
That the talks have made little progress so far, according to Israeli statements, is mainly due to the security-political framework. The war against Hamas and the subsequent military confrontations with Hezbollah and Iran led Israel to weigh its own demand for battle tanks and spare parts far more heavily than the potential profit from exports. Add to that the high utilization of the Israeli defense industry, which is currently primarily occupied with modernizing and maintaining its own armed forces.
Decision Not Before 2028
While smaller defense projects between the two countries—from unmanned systems to air defense—have already been implemented, a contract for the Merkava tanks would, according to Israeli sources, realistically become feasible no earlier than 2028. Within the Israeli government and the defense establishment there remain reservations about handing over the vehicles. The reasons are the persistently tense security situation and the question of what reserves the Israeli armed forces may need in the future.
Regardless of the outcome of the negotiations, the possible tank deal nonetheless underscores the growing security-political cooperation between Israel and Cyprus. In recent years, both countries have continually expanded their cooperation in several areas of the defense industry. A sale of modernized Merkava battle tanks would elevate this partnership to a new level and also advance the gradual replacement of Russian weapon systems within the Cypriot armed forces.
Author: Arie Egozi, Israel Correspondent
