I have come across several rumours about this, the most signifcant relating to the fiscal 2000 annual defence budget of Cyprus which allotted over $190 million dollars (allgedly) to the funding for a future fixed wing aircraft.
I am informed the Cyprus Government is particularly interested in the purchase of an aerial AM-39 Exocet platform, and is also interested in getting an aircraft able to compete against the Turkish AMRAAM. One would assume that Cyprus’s choice woulld be limited to France, Russia or China, with whom Cyprus shares bilateral security agreements.
The most realistic choice for Cypriot acquisition would be the
Mirage-2000-5 or the Mig-29UM Fulcrum, both of which are relatively cheap and easy to sustain technologically.
One, however, should not rule the Flanker series or the Rafale, if Cyprus did indeed actively seek a fighter interceptor.
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April 17, 2002 at 6:40 pm