Greece and Cyprus are in talks over the transfer of up to 90 Leopard 1 A5 tanks to the Cyprus National Guard, with Nicosia making the transfer a precondition for the establishment of a defence manufacturing facility on the island, Phileleftheros reports.
Discussions between the two countries’ defence ministries are focused on transferring between 75 and 90 Leopard 1 A5 tanks currently in service with the Greek Army, according to Phileleftheros information.
The tanks would fully or partially equip three National Guard tank squadrons, and would replace the 126 EE-9 Cascavel wheeled armoured vehicles received by the National Guard in 1980.
The Ministry of Defence and the National Guard aim to address operational gaps caused by the Guard’s ageing armoured fleet. A National Guard delegation is expected to travel to Greece in the coming period to inspect the vehicles and assess their condition before any decision is taken. If the delegation is not satisfied with the state of the tanks, the deal will not proceed, according to the source.
The Leopard 1 A5
The Leopard 1 A5 is the most advanced variant of the German Leopard 1 main battle tank, with its principal upgrades being an improved fire control system and updated electronics. It retains the 105mm L7A3 gun, capable of firing modern armour-piercing and multi-role ammunition.
The tank is powered by an MTU MB 838 CaM 500 diesel engine producing around 830 horsepower, giving it a top road speed of 65 kilometres per hour. Its protection is based on conventional steel armour, which is considered limited compared with modern main battle tanks.
Factory negotiations at sensitive stage
Separately, negotiations between Nicosia and Greek defence company EODH over the establishment of a manufacturing facility in Cyprus have reached a sensitive stage, Phileleftheros reports. The investment is expected to reach 50 million euros in its first phase, according to Phileleftheros information.
EODH announced at the Battlefield Redefined defence and security exhibition in March that it had established a Cypriot subsidiary, EODH Dynamics, with a view to creating a modern manufacturing facility in the country.
According to exclusive Phileleftheros information, the planned transfer of the Leopard 1 A5 tanks appears to be linked to these talks. The Christodoulides government has set the arrival of the Leopard 1 A5 tanks in Cyprus as a basic and necessary precondition for the factory plans to move forward.
EODH has drawn up a full upgrade programme for the Leopard 1 A5 and is in a position to carry out similar work on all National Guard armoured vehicles, covering interventions to armour, engines, weaponry and electronic systems. If carried out, these upgrades could extend the vehicles’ operational lifespan by up to 20 years.
The company is already in contact with the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) and the Cyprus Association of Business Research and Innovation, and has developed partnerships with Cypriot defence companies in previous years.
In Greece, EODH operates three factories in Thessaloniki producing armour for Leopard 2AV and A8 tanks, PUMA infantry fighting vehicles and BOXER armoured vehicles.
The company told Phileleftheros that a fourth facility, which will manufacture complete tanks, is set to open within the next year. EODH is a strategic partner of German company KNDS Deutschland, formerly KMW, which manufactures those vehicles.