Cyprus is stepping up pressure on Israel to buy Merkava main battle tanks, aiming to retire a fleet of Russian-built T-80s that has become costly and unreliable under Western sanctions. The military file sits against the backdrop of a frozen conflict with Turkey and unresolved energy disputes in the eastern Mediterranean.
TL;DR
- Cypriot daily Phileleftheros, cited by The Jerusalem Post (13 Aug 2026), reports Cyprus is pressing Israel to allow the purchase of Merkava tanks (Mk3 or Mk4).
- The goal is to replace Russian T-80s, whose parts and ammunition are hard to source under sanctions.
- Cyprus reportedly rejected Greece’s Leopard 1A5 as unsuitable; France’s EBRC Jaguar is also mentioned.
- Israel is said to be divided; other outlets add that production demands from Israeli military operations are a constraint.
- Backdrop: a stalled Turkey-Cyprus peace process and eastern-Mediterranean gas tensions.
A replacement driven by cost and sanctions
According to the pan-Cypriot daily Phileleftheros, cited by The Jerusalem Post on 13 August 2026, Cyprus’s National Guard is seeking Israeli Merkava tanks in the Mk3 or Mk4 variants [1]. Its current fleet relies on Russian-built T-80s, but deteriorating relations with Moscow and Western sanctions have made spare parts and ammunition hard to secure reliably [1][2]. Cypriot reporting puts the fleet at roughly 80 T-80s in the 20th armoured brigade [3]. The Merkava’s suitability, per Cypriot media, rests on the similarity of Israeli and Cypriot terrain and the two countries’ proximity, which would ease logistical support [1].
Merkava, Leopard or Jaguar
Greece’s offer of Leopard 1A5 tanks (75-90 reported) was rejected after a National Guard delegation inspected them and found they did not meet operational requirements, even as an interim solution [3][4]. France’s EBRC Jaguar has also been cited among the alternatives [5]. Contracts for smaller kit such as drones have reportedly advanced, while larger armour deals are slated to begin from 2028 [1].
Why Israel hesitates
The Jerusalem Post notes that opinion inside the Israeli government is split, with some favouring a sale and others wanting the tanks kept for the IDF [1]. Other Cypriot media add a key nuance: talks have not progressed, partly because of the production demands tied to Israeli military operations [3]. Discussions had stalled after 7 October 2023, with Israel signalling they would resume once the security situation eased [1].
Israel as a growing defence supplier
In 2024, Cyprus took delivery of Israel’s Barak MX air-defence system, with the first batch reported in early December 2024 [9][10]. In December 2025, Israel, Greece and Cyprus signed a trilateral military-cooperation work plan for 2026 [7][8].
The backdrop: a frozen dispute with Turkey
The island has been divided since Turkey’s 1974 invasion, which followed an Athens-backed coup; the north is administered by the self-declared “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus”, recognised only by Turkey [9]. President Nikos Christodoulides justified the deterrence effort in 2024 “not only because we are a country under occupation, but an EU member state in a region of particular geo-strategic importance” [1].
In summer 2026, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres tried to revive talks nine years after the last collapse, but the sides remain split between a federal model (Greek Cypriots) and a two-state outcome (Ankara) [11][12]. Overlapping EEZ claims and offshore gas drilling — plus “light” EU sanctions on Turkey that Ankara rejected — keep the security climate tense [13]. It is, in effect, a diplomatic dead end.
Verified vs. contested
Confirmed by multiple independent outlets: Cyprus’s interest in the Merkava and plan to replace the T-80s; the rejection of Greece’s Leopard 1A5; the 2024 Barak MX delivery; the December 2025 trilateral plan; the island’s division since 1974 and the 2026 stalemate.
Single-source / to be confirmed: the precise content of Israeli internal debate (source Phileleftheros); the 2028 timeline; exact volumes. No firm contract exists to date.
FAQ
Has Cyprus already bought the Merkava tanks?
No. So far this is reported interest and pressure; no firm contract is confirmed and Israel has not decided [1][3].
Why not keep the Russian T-80s?
Sanctions and the break with Moscow make spare parts and ammunition hard to obtain, raising cost and reducing readiness [1].
Will Israel agree to sell?
Undecided. The Israeli government is split and prioritises its own military needs [1][3].
How does this relate to Turkey?
Cyprus is rearming against the backdrop of an island divided since 1974 and persistent tensions with Turkey, including over offshore gas [12][13].
References
- The Jerusalem Post — “Cyprus ramping up pressure on Tel Aviv while eyeing Israel’s Merkava tanks”, 13 Aug 2026. https://www.jpost.com/defense-and-tech/article-905462
- Anadolu Agency — “Greek Cypriot administration to replace Russian T-80U tanks with Israel’s Merkava”, 2026. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/greek-cypriot-administration-to-replace-russian-t-80u-tanks-with-israels-merkava/3086795
- Cyprus Mail — “Cyprus rejects Greek Leopard tanks in favour of Israel’s Merkava”, 10 Aug 2026. https://cyprus-mail.com/2026/08/10/cyprus-rejects-greek-leopard-tanks-in-favour-of-israels-merkava
- Greek City Times — “Cyprus Turns Down 90 Greek Leopard Tanks”, 11 Aug 2026. https://greekcitytimes.com/2026/08/11/cyprus-rejects-greece-leopard-tanks-merkava-t80/
- Sigmalive English — “Cyprus seeks Jaguar armoured vehicles as pressure over Merkava tanks grows”, 2026. https://en.sigmalive.com/cyprus-seeks-jaguar-armoured-vehicles-as-pressure-over-merkava-tanks-grows/
- The Jerusalem Post — “Trilateral work plan Israel, Greece, Cyprus”, Dec 2025. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-881604
- Cyprus Mail — “Trilateral defence plan sealed”, 29 Dec 2025. https://cyprus-mail.com/2025/12/29/trilateral-defence-plan-sealed-force-rumours-rebuffed
- The Times of Israel — “Cyprus takes delivery of air defense system from Israel”, 2024. https://www.timesofisrael.com/cyprus-takes-delivery-of-air-defense-system-from-israel-report-says/
- Army Recognition — “Cyprus modernizes air defense with Israeli Barak MX”, 2024. https://www.armyrecognition.com/archives/archives-land-defense/land-defense-2024/cyprus-modernizes-air-defense-capabilities-with-new-israeli-barak-mx-surface-to-air-missile-system
- Euronews — “UN chief Guterres to convene new Cyprus talks”, 29 Jul 2026. https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2026/07/29/un-chief-guterres-to-convene-new-talks-on-ending-cyprus-decades-long-conflict
- Turkish Minute — “Erdogan rejects Cyprus plans that sideline Turkish Cypriot rights”, 30 Jul 2026. https://turkishminute.com/2026/07/30/erdogan-rejects-cyprus-plans-that-sideline-turkish-cypriot-rights/
- ECFR — “Eastern Mediterranean gas: Testing the field”. https://ecfr.eu/special/eastern_med/gas_fields
By Patrick Lancier — News