Cyprus Acquires Israeli Barak MX, Bolstering Air Defense

The Israeli-made Barak MX is regarded arsenic 1 of the astir susceptible anti-aircraft systems presently successful operation. Credit: Israel Aerospace Industries

Cyprus has taken a large measurement toward creating a modern aerial defence shield, with the caller procurement of the Israeli-made Barak MX system. The Republic of Cyprus present possesses precocious anti-aircraft capabilities for the archetypal time, allowing it to discontinue its older Russian BUK-M1 systems.

The 2nd shipment of the Barak MX, manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), precocious arrived successful Cyprus, sparking a beardown absorption from Ankara. This acquisition is besides nether information by Greece for its ain “Achilles Shield” programme to regenerate its outdated HAWK and S-300 anti-aircraft systems.

However, ongoing unrest successful the Middle East has reportedly slowed negotiations betwixt Athens and Jerusalem for assorted subject equipment, including aerial defence platforms, Kathimerini reports.

Cyprus, moving much rapidly than Greece, placed its bid for the Barak MX successful 2021. The archetypal shipment arrived successful December 2024, with the last components pursuing 9 months later.

Turkish reactions to Cyprus’ assistance defense

As anticipated, the transportation of the Israeli strategy provoked a beardown effect from Turkey. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued a informing that Turkey “will not let anyone to origin caller suffering to the Turkish Cypriots.” Additionally, Yanki Bağcıoğlu, a lawman president of the Republican People’s Party, called the determination a “clear usurpation of International Law.”

In effect to Turkey’s criticism, Cypriot Minister of Defense Vasilis Palmas stated, “The Republic of Cyprus volition fortify its defence armor successful bid to beryllium capable to sphere its sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Capabilities of the Barak MX

The Israeli-made Barak MX is regarded arsenic 1 of the astir susceptible anti-aircraft systems presently successful operation. Its modular plan offers important flexibility, and its scope extends to the Turkish coast.

The strategy consists of an Elta multi-mission radar, a occurrence power center, and launchers, each mounted connected Tatra vehicles for the National Guard. The AESA exertion radar tin observe threats astatine distances of implicit 450 kilometers. In summation to its anti-aircraft capabilities, the Barak MX tin besides antagonistic ballistic missiles and observe ground-based occurrence motorboat sites.

The National Guard reportedly acquired the MR and LR versions of the system, with ranges of 35 and 70 kilometers, respectively. There is besides an ER (extended range) mentation disposable with a 150-kilometer radius, which could efficaciously enforce a no-fly portion crossed the full Nicosia FIR.

Cyprus is looking to the US for subject aid

In summation to its caller anti-aircraft systems, Cyprus is seeking to extremity its defence isolation and beryllium included successful the United States’ Excess Defense Articles (EDA) program.

A squad of National Guard officers is expected to question to the U.S. to measure surplus equipment.

According to accusation revealed by the Cyprus regular Kathimerini, Cyprus is funny successful acquiring American transport and search-and-rescue aircraft, including C-130s, OH-58D Kiowa airy reconnaissance helicopters, and CH-47 Chinook unit carriers—platforms already successful work with the Greek Armed Forces. Nicosia has besides shown involvement successful acquiring M2A armored warring vehicles and M109A5 guns.