BrahMos Missile: Turkey's Arch-Enemy Cyprus Sets Sights on Indian weapons; Leaves Erdogan Stunned

Nicosia: Cyprus - counted among Turkey's staunchest adversaries - has expressed interest in India's BrahMos missile. This development comes on the heels of a recent visit to India by Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides. During this visit, both nations announced their intention to elevate their bilateral ties to the level of a strategic partnership.

Consequently, should a deal to sell BrahMos missiles to Cyprus be finalized, it would be regarded as a major setback for Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is currently striving to position himself as the new Caliph of Turkey and the Muslim world. A long-standing animosity exists between Turkey and Cyprus; for several decades, Turkey has maintained an illegal occupation over a significant portion of Cypriot territory, a situation that continues to fuel tension between the two nations.

Why Has Cyprus Decided to Procure Weapons from India?

During a meeting held in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides discussed a concrete five-year roadmap for defense cooperation (2026–2031). As part of this defense roadmap, senior Cypriot officials confirmed that their country is keenly interested in acquiring advanced military hardware from India. Cyprus seeks to bolster the security of its Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) through the deployment of BrahMos missiles. Furthermore, the nation aims to acquire a weapon system capable of serving as a deterrent that instills fear in Turkey.

Which Indian Weapons Interest Cyprus?

According to a report, Cyprus's primary interest lies in India's missile and drone systems—specifically those weapons that India has deployed during its recent military operations (such as 'Operation Sindoor') and whose capabilities have already been proven in the field. Prominent among these are the BrahMos missile and indigenous loitering munitions, which are manufactured by various Indian defense firms. Although Cyprus has not yet officially submitted a proposal to India to purchase the BrahMos missile, there is a strong likelihood that such a deal could be finalized very soon.

Why Does Cyprus Favour the BrahMos?

The BrahMos missile demonstrated its formidable power a year ago during 'Operation Sindoor.' It devastated several Pakistani airbases through precision strikes, inflicting heavy losses upon Pakistan. Given the robust defense ties between Pakistan and Turkey—and the fact that both nations utilize each other's weaponry—Cyprus could gain a significant strategic advantage over Turkey by acquiring India's BrahMos missile system. Furthermore, as India is actively seeking buyers for the BrahMos missile, Cyprus emerges as a highly suitable candidate.