Cyprus Considering Purchase of 80 'Griffons' and 100 'Servals' from France

In Cyprus, the Ministry of Defence is exploring the possibility of acquiring a large number of French wheeled armoured vehicles for the National Guard through the European Union's SAFE mechanism, French newspaper La Tribune reports.

According to the publication, the purchase of approximately 80 Griffon armoured vehicles and about 100 Serval vehicles from KNDS France is under consideration. Separate negotiations are underway with Arquus regarding the modernization of approximately 80 VAB armoured personnel carriers already in service with the National Guard. Some of the discussed vehicles could be equipped with Akeron MP anti-tank missiles from MBDA.

The Griffon is a six-wheeled (6×6) multi-role armoured personnel carrier designed for a crew of 2–3 and up to eight soldiers, equipped with a remote-controlled weapon station with a 12.7 mm machine gun or a 40 mm grenade launcher. The Serval is a lighter four-wheeled (4×4) vehicle for rapid operations, with a crew of 2, carrying up to six soldiers, weighing about 15–17 tons, and also allowing for the installation of remote-controlled weaponry.

Both models are part of the French army's Scorpion modernization programme and are focused on mobility, protection against small arms, and mine blasts. For residents in Cyprus, the volume and timing of potential deliveries, their impact on the National Guard's readiness, and the planned stages of modernizing existing equipment are of significant importance.