Cyprus considering buying weapons from France

[Vergennes]

Cyprus is considering purchasing further weapons from France, Defence Minister Charalambos Petrides said on Tuesday.

Responding to a question from media, Petrides said: “Yes, various weapons and other systems are being assessed.”

He said the potential purchase from France came under the broader policy of enhancing Cypriot-French bilateral cooperation – announced by President Nicos Anastasiades during his recent state visit to Paris.

Petrides, accompanying the president on that visit, had a one-on-one meeting with his French counterpart Florence Parly.

The two discussed developments in the eastern Mediterranean – particularly Turkey’s aggressive posture – and later told media that Cyprus and France intend to deepen their defence cooperation.

Meanwhile also on Tuesday Turkish authorities issued a new marine advisory, or Navtex, reserving for seismic surveys a sea area in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone.

The Navtev runs from Tuesday to September 20. The surveys, to be carried out by the Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa vessel, are east of Famagusta. The reserved area covers large swathes of Cyprus’ offshore blocks 2 and 3, and a small part of block 13.

https://cyprus-mail.com/2020/07/28/cyprus-considering-buying-weapons-from-france/

 

[dBSPL]

– particularly Turkey’s aggressive posture –

A Turkey that no longer passive monitoring against Greek's violation of Lousanne and Paris treaties and no more give a sh*t to Greek diplomats which are imposing maximalist demands to Turkey under protection of EU umbrella in the eastern Mediterranean.

 

[-SINAN-]

Cyprus is considering purchasing further weapons from France, Defence Minister Charalambos Petrides said on Tuesday.

Responding to a question from media, Petrides said: “Yes, various weapons and other systems are being assessed.”

He said the potential purchase from France came under the broader policy of enhancing Cypriot-French bilateral cooperation – announced by President Nicos Anastasiades during his recent state visit to Paris.

Petrides, accompanying the president on that visit, had a one-on-one meeting with his French counterpart Florence Parly.

The two discussed developments in the eastern Mediterranean – particularly Turkey’s aggressive posture – and later told media that Cyprus and France intend to deepen their defence cooperation.

Meanwhile also on Tuesday Turkish authorities issued a new marine advisory, or Navtex, reserving for seismic surveys a sea area in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone.

The Navtev runs from Tuesday to September 20. The surveys, to be carried out by the Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa vessel, are east of Famagusta. The reserved area covers large swathes of Cyprus’ offshore blocks 2 and 3, and a small part of block 13.

https://cyprus-mail.com/2020/07/28/cyprus-considering-buying-weapons-from-france/

They discussed this previously and said that "If we choose to solve our issues with Turkey in a military approach, we would cease to exist as a result of an armed conflict"

 

[what]

Buying protection and skidding further into debt. But smart business for France.

 

[Dante80]

I don't really know about the "buying protection" part, but due to the arms embargo in the region (that was lifted late last year IIRC) Cyprus was always a traditional buyer of French weapons. From helicopters to main battle tanks, and from IFVs to missiles of all kinds.

If I could wager a guess, it seems to me that the French military-industrial complex is scrambling to secure its position in the post-embargo era, and we are already seeing a LOT of pressure from the US to both Greece and Cyprus regarding military sales.