In a decisive strategic pivot with global reverberations, Cyprus has expressed keen interest in purchasing advanced weaponry from India amid escalating tensions with Turkey. Reports indicate that Cyprus is preparing to acquire Indian-made loitering munitions, specifically India’s indigenously developed Nagastra drones and the Sky Striker drones, which are co-produced by Israeli-Indian defence firms.
These drones gained international attention for their exceptional precision during Operation Sindoor, where they successfully neutralised terror camps of Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba. Loitering munitions such as the Nagastra and Sky Striker hover over conflict zones, locate targets, and strike with lethal accuracy. Impressed by their performance, Cyprus is now moving towards purchasing them to bolster its defence capabilities.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded a two-day official visit to Cyprus recently. During his stay, discussions reportedly included potential arms trade agreements. Modi is now in Canada for the G7 Summit, followed by a visit to Croatia. The timing and nature of these high-level talks point to a significant deepening of strategic ties between India and Cyprus.
Cyprus has long been locked in a bitter dispute with Turkey, dating back to 1974 when Turkish-backed forces took control of the island’s northern region. Today, Cyprus views Indian drones as a potential countermeasure to Turkey’s Bayraktar drones, which pose a growing threat. The affordability and advanced capabilities of Indian systems make them a particularly attractive option.
Drones like the Nagastra and Sky Striker offer cost-effective alternatives to traditional cruise missiles, with the added advantage of being able to strike targets from distances of up to 1,000 km. Their success in previous missions, especially against Pakistan’s defences, underscores their battlefield reliability.
India and Cyprus share historical ties as members of the Commonwealth, with Cyprus gaining independence from British colonial rule in 1960. In recent years, India has already provided Cyprus with advanced surveillance systems. The move towards arms sales marks a new phase in bilateral defence cooperation, one that could elevate India’s standing in the European defence market.
Importantly, the potential deal also carries geopolitical weight. During Operation Sindoor, Turkey had supplied drones to Pakistan in an attempt to destabilise Indian defences. However, India intercepted and neutralised all hostile drones, with the Nagastra and Sky Striker spearheading counterattacks that overcame advanced Pakistani electronic defence systems.
Through enhanced defence ties with Cyprus, India is delivering a strategic message to Turkey, underscoring its growing influence in European security affairs and pushing back against nations supporting terrorism. The evolving partnership between New Delhi and Nicosia marks not just a defence collaboration, but a strategic blow to Turkish influence in the region.
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