Nicosia, Cyprus (Agencies): Cyprus has taken a significant step in modernizing its air defense capabilities by acquiring the advanced Israeli Barak MX surface-to-air missile system. The first batch of these missile systems was recently delivered to the Cypriot National Guard, with additional deliveries expected to further enhance the nation’s defense infrastructure.
The decision to procure the Barak MX system was influenced by its advanced capabilities, including vertical launch systems, sophisticated radar integration, and compatibility with Cyprus’s existing air defense systems. This procurement is part of Cyprus’s broader defense modernization plans, which also include replacing Soviet-era Mi-35 helicopters with six Airbus H145M attack helicopters by the end of 2024.
The Barak MX system, developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), is capable of addressing a range of aerial threats, such as drones, fighter jets, ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and helicopters. The system offers three missile variants: the Barak MR with a range of 35 kilometers, the Barak LR with a range of 70 kilometers, and the Barak ER with a range of 150 kilometers.
This modernization effort aligns with Cyprus’s strategy to bolster its defense capabilities and ensure the protection of its critical infrastructure. The move has also drawn attention from neighboring countries, with Greece considering the Barak MX as a potential replacement for its aging HAWK and S-300PMU1 units