Israel may (for the first time ever) sell over 200 Merkava II and Merkava III tanks to Cyprus

The Merkava II and Merkava III tanks have recently been reported to be under consideration by Israel. The buyer could be Cyprus.

Here's What We Know

Haaretz newspaper writes that Cyprus is ready to transfer its T-80U tanks to the Ukrainian Armed Forces if it can buy the Israeli combat vehicles. Sources in Cyprus deny this information.

The amount of the potential deal is not specified. There is also no information on the number of tanks. Earlier it was said that there were more than two hundred Merkava II and Merkava III tanks. The alleged reason for the purchase is that due to sanctions against Russia it is difficult for Cyprus to obtain spare parts for the T-80U.

Finally, the potential sale of the Merkava II and Merkava III to a Mediterranean island nation is being positioned as the first-ever export of Merkava combat vehicles. This may not be entirely true.

Early last decade, Israel offered Colombia several dozen Merkava IV tanks. The deal fell through, but the unnamed country is rumoured to have been able to buy them two years later. This has not been officially confirmed. In addition, the Philippines has been using Merkava tank-based bridge-building equipment since last year.

Source: Haaretz