Cyprus is in talks with France to acquire around 180 Griffon and Serval armored vehicles. The deal would be financed through the European Union’s SAFE mechanism. It aims to modernize the country’s land forces and reduce reliance on aging Soviet-era equipment.
The potential acquisition includes approximately 80 Griffon 6×6 vehicles and 100 Serval 4×4 vehicles. According to La Tribune, the package may also include Akeron MP anti-tank missiles from MBDA. The total number could exceed 150 units, making it one of Cyprus’s largest land equipment restructurings in decades.
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Cyprus currently operates a mix of older systems, including T-80 tanks and BMP-3 vehicles from Soviet origins. Maintaining this equipment has become difficult due to sanctions and limited spare parts following the war in Ukraine. The new vehicles would replace aging fleets and simplify logistics.
The Griffon is a 25-ton 6×6 vehicle that carries a crew of two and eight soldiers. It offers protection against heavy machine gun fire and mine blasts. The Serval is a lighter 4×4 vehicle designed for mobility in urban areas and rough terrain. Both are digitally connected, allowing units to share targeting data in real time.
These vehicles are part of France’s Scorpion program, which integrates sensors, weapons, and communications into a single network. For Cyprus, this means better coordination with European forces during joint exercises and operations. The Akeron MP missile, if included, can hit targets up to 4 kilometers away with precision.
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The EU’s SAFE mechanism provides long-term loans for defense procurement. Financing for Cyprus is estimated at €1.18 billion, but the final contract volume and delivery schedule are still under discussion. Some older VAB vehicles may be refurbished rather than replaced, though the French manufacturer KNDS is pushing for more new units.
This deal builds on a strategic partnership signed between Cyprus and France in December 2025. France has gained access to Cypriot naval infrastructure, and the two countries now conduct regular joint exercises. For Cyprus, the acquisition strengthens deterrence, improves battlefield readiness, and locks in long-term European defense cooperation.
