Israeli weapons companies are considering opening factories, industrial centers and European headquarters in Cyprus

 

 Israeli weapons companies are considering opening factories, industrial centers and European headquarters in Cyprus, an island nation inside the European Union.

The expansion was discussed when Israeli President Isaac Herzog met Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides in Cyprus. No companies or final factory agreements have been announced yet, but officials say Israeli weapons makers have shown strong interest.

Building in Cyprus could place Israeli production closer to European customers as governments across the continent spend more on missiles, drones, surveillance systems and other military equipment.

Cyprus can receive up to €1.18 billion through a major European Union program supporting new military purchases. An Israeli company would still need to meet European rules before benefiting from that money.

Israel has already proved this model can work. Elbit Systems operates seven production facilities in Romania, supporting 1,000 direct jobs and more than 2,500 additional jobs through local businesses. Cyprus could become Israel’s next weapons-production center in Europe.