Cyprus–Israel military relations explained

Since the deterioration of Israel–Turkey relations after the Gaza flotilla raid, the Cypriot-Israeli strategic and military relationship has grown considerably with the two nations becoming close regional security partners.[1] [2] [3]

Cyprus has also become a major buyer of Israeli equipment ranging to small arms to unmanned aerial vehicles while also assisting each other in humanitarian operations when needed.[4] [5]

Joint military exercises

One of the first joint military exercises between Cyprus and Israel came in February 2014, where Israeli Air Force jets conducted an exercise against Cypriot air defenses using both F-16s and F-15s during the exercise.[6] The exercise took the codename Onisilos-Gideon and since then has taken place on an almost annual basis, with jets such as the Israeli F-35s being bought in.[7] [8]

In May 2014, ships from the Israeli Navy for the first time, took part in the multinational exercise "Argnoaut", which was organised by the Cypriot authorities and held within the Nicosia Flight information region (Nicosia FIR).[9] [10]

In March 2017, Cyprus took part as an observer in the noble dina exercise which is an exercise done by Israel and the United States however a small portion of the exercise was co-ordinated by the Cyprus Joint Rescue Coordination Center.[11] [12] Since 2021 however, Cyprus has become an active member in the exercise.[13] [14]

In June 2017, a major military exercise involving Cypriot special forces (LOK), Israeli special forces, including, the Oz Brigade and Egoz took place in the Troodos Mountains and Paphos Forest, with the Israeli troops being airlifted via C-130s Israeli Black-hawk helicopters.[15] [16] [17]

In the fall of 2018, the two nations held a joint air and special forces military exercise, the air exercise dubbed "Iason 2018" and the special forces exercise "Nikolidis-David".[18] [19]

In 2022, exercise Agapinor was held between Cyprus and Israel, involving almost all divisions/branches from the Cypriot National Guard and the Israeli Defense Forces.[20] It was considered to be the largest exercise ever undertaken between the two countries in terms of personnel and equipment.[21] [22] Agapinor was held again in 2023 but to a smaller scale.[23]

In May 2023, exercise Blue Sun-Jason was held again with the air forces of the two countries.[24]

Military hardware and access

Since the National Guards modernisation program came into place in with the Nicos Anastasiades government in 2013, Cyprus has bought multiple weapons and weapon systems from Israel including, the Tavor X95, Negev light machine gun and a number of UAVs.[25] [26] It is also reportedly buying the Merkava battle tank and the Barak surface to air missile.[27] [28] [29] Cyprus also allows Israel partial access to its FIR for Search and rescue operations.[30]

Controversies

Various military exercises that have been conducted between Cyprus and Israel have come under scrutiny from both the Cypriot communist party and the Turkish government.[31] [32]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Major Potential in the Israel-Cyprus Friendship From the "Israel and the Mediterranean" Working Group . 2023-11-14 . Mitvim.
  2. Web site: Lefkovits . Etgar . 2023-06-20 . Cyprus-Greece-Israel ties are a 'strategic partnership' . 2023-11-14 . JNS.org . en-US.
  3. Web site: Cyprus and Israel thankful for mutual support . 2023-11-14 . knews.com.cy.
  4. Web site: 2021-07-04 . Israel Sends Planes to Battle ‘Worst Forest Fire’ in Cyprus History United with Israel . 2023-11-15 . UWI.
  5. Web site: 2019-10-02 . Cyprus buys Israeli military hardware . middleeastmonitor.com.
  6. Web site: 2014-02-17 . Israeli Fighter Jets Challenge Cypriot Air Defense in Mock Battle Exercise – Defense Update: . 2023-11-15 . defense-update.com .
  7. Web site: Army Seeks Proposals For Remote-Controlled Bradley Vehicle Replacement Israeli F-35s Flew Over Cyprus in Exercise India Received Its Ninth P-8i . 2023-11-15 . Defense Industry Daily.
  8. Web site: Redefined . Defence . 2021-04-06 . "ONISILOS – GEDEON 2021" Footage of Israeli F-35s and F-15s in Cyprus skies – VIDEO . 2023-11-15 . Defence Redefined . en-US.
  9. Web site: 2014-05-25 . Ολοκληρώθηκε η Άσκηση «Αργοναύτης 2014» με συμμετοχή της ΠΑ (φώτο & vid) . 2023-11-15 . veteranos Εθνικά Θέματα . el.
  10. Web site: 2014-05-24 . Αργοναύτης 2014 στην κυπριακή ΑΟΖ – ΦΩΤΟ . 2023-11-15 . OnAlert . el.
  11. Web site: Opall-Rome . Barbara . 2017-03-07 . Israel to stage naval drill with US, Greece in Eastern Mediterranean . 2023-11-15 . Defense News . en.
  12. Web site: Για πρώτη φορά η Κύπρος συμμετείχε στη "NOBLE DINA" AlphaNews.Live . 2023-11-15 . www.alphanews.live . el.
  13. Web site: Frantzman . Seth . 2021-03-12 . For first time, France and Cyprus join Israel’s Noble Dina naval drill . 2023-11-15 . Defense News . en.
  14. Web site: Fabian . Emmanuel . 2022-03-22 . IDF wraps up naval drill with Greece, France, Cyprus and US . timesofisrael.com.
  15. Web site: Vlassis . Savvas . 2018-10-23 . Shayetet 13: "Όπως η νυχτερίδα αναδύεται στο σκοτάδι" . 2023-11-15 . Δούρειος Ίππος . en-US.
  16. News: Israeli Commandos Heading to Cyprus for Largest-ever Drill . en . Haaretz . 2023-11-15.
  17. News: Blumenthal . Itay . 2017-06-15 . IDF Special Forces units hold joint military exercise in Cyrpus . en . Ynetnews . 2023-11-15.
  18. Web site: Ολοκληρώθηκαν με επιτυχία οι ασκήσεις «ΙΑΣΩΝ–2018» και «ΝΙΚΟΚΛΗΣ-ΔΑΥΙΔ-2018» . 2023-11-15 . mod.gov.cy . el.
  19. Web site: Vlassis . Savvas . 2018-11-03 . Άσκηση Ειδικών Δυνάμεων ΝΙΚΟΚΛΗΣ – ΔΑΥΙΔ 2018 στην Κύπρο . 2023-11-15 . Δούρειος Ίππος . en-US.
  20. Web site: Redefined . Defence . 2022-05-27 . Exercise "Agapinor 2022" Preparations are underway for the largest Cyprus – Israel exercise . 2023-11-15 . Defence Redefined . en-US.
  21. Web site: GEOPOLITIKI . 2022-06-03 . Agapinor 2022: The largest exercise between Cyprus and Israel – GEOPOLITIKI . 2023-11-15 . en-US.
  22. Web site: 2023-11-15 . Μilitary exercise with Cyprus the largest ever in cooperation with a neighboring country, IDF say . 2023-11-15 . ΚΥΠΕ.
  23. Web site: Cyprus and Israel strengthen military cooperation with AGAPINOR-2023 (Video) . 2023-11-15 . knews.com.cy.
  24. Web site: 2023-11-15 . ‘Blue Sun of Jason’ air exercise tests National Guard with Israeli forces . 2023-11-15 . in-cyprus.philenews.com . en-US.
  25. Web site: Newsroom . 2019-10-03 . Cyprus stocking up on drones eKathimerini.com . 2023-11-16 . www.ekathimerini.com . English.
  26. Web site: Iddon . Paul . Cyprus Is Planning A New Military Buildup . 2023-11-16 . Forbes . en.
  27. Web site: 2022-08-26 . Όχι Iron Dome – Το BARAK MX προμηθεύεται η Κύπρος . 2023-11-16 . Δούρειος Ίππος . en-US.
  28. Web site: 2022-08-26 . Η ΚΥΠΡΟΣ ΔΕΝ παίρνει Iron Dome αλλά "BARAK MX" για σύγχρονο "σύστημα αεράμυνας"; (vid.) . defence-point.gr.
  29. News: Israel Plans to Sell Its Merkava Tanks to Cyprus . en . Haaretz . 2023-11-16.
  30. Agdemir, A. Murat. "Relations between Israel and the South Cyprus Greek administration: A new alignment in the Eastern Mediterranean?" Perceptions, vol. 21, no. 2, summer 2016, pp. 103+. Gale Academic OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A488192724/AONE?u=anon~6c0968d8&sid=googleScholar&xid=f5ba2e62. Accessed 16 Nov. 2023.
  31. Web site: 2022-06-02 . Cyprus’ involvement in Israel’s military plans is dangerous . 2023-11-15 . ΑΚΕΛ Ανορθωτικό Κόμμα Εργαζομένου Λαού . en-US.
  32. Web site: Turkiye: Joint Israel military drills with Cyprus should not be provocative .

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