The U.S Coast Guard is planning to donate two patrol vessels from its inventory to the Cypriot Coast Guard. Negotiations between the two states started a year ago and the agreement will be signed before the end of 2015.
The vessels will be delivered in 2016 and will enhance the capabilities of the Cypriot Coast Guard to police and protect the coastline of the Cypriot Republic, as well as to conduct Search and Rescue operations within the Nicosia FIR area.
The type of the new vessels has not been announced, but according to Cypriot reports the vessels will be relatively new.
The Cypriot Republic started a programme for the procurement of new patrol vessels almost three years ago. The initial plan included the procurement of two Offshore Patrol Vessels valued at 100 million euros, but although both sides reached an agreement the Cypriot Parliament canceled the deal.
The new naval procurement programme of the Cypriot Republic includes the procurement of an Offshore Patrol Vessel from Israel, the future procurement of three more vessels from a European country and the acceptance of the U.S. Coast Guard donation of the two Patrol Vessels.
The fleet of the Cypriot Coast Guard currently includes two FAC-23-class Fast Patrol Boats (PV-20/PV-21), one Shaldag-class Fast Patrol Boat (PV-22) and two C382-class Fast Patrol Boats (PV-23/PV-24).
Image Sourced: Military in the Middle East