The Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus (GCASC) announced that it has received the second batch of Barak MX air defense systems from Israel. This development is noteworthy as part of the efforts of the Greek Cypriot Administration to increase its defense capacity. It was reported that the Barak MX system will be used by the Cyprus National Guard (GEEF) and will replace the current Russian-made Tor-M1 and BUK M1-2 air defense systems.
What is the Barak MX Air Defense System?
Barak MX is an advanced modular air defense system introduced by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) in 2018. This system offers an integrated solution against various air threats, with both land and sea variants. Barak MX was developed based on the Barak air defense system family and is supported by a range of missiles and radars belonging to the same family.
Barak MX is capable of simultaneously defending against threats from multiple sources, including fighter jets, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), cruise missiles and various surface-to-air missiles. This is a feature that makes it particularly important in modern battlefields. In addition, Barak MX increases its defensive power by working with a proven control center.
Israeli Sourcing and Past Allegations
The Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus received the first batch of the Barak MX air defense system from Israel years ago. This new delivery was followed by the procurement of the second batch of the system. Following the first delivery, there were some claims that the Greek Cypriot Administration had received the Iron Dome air defense system. However, the Greek Cypriot administration denied these claims and announced that the system delivered was actually the Barak MX. This has been an important issue, especially for experts interested in defense strategies, because both systems serve different operational needs.
According to a report by Forbes, the Greek Cypriot Administration purchased at least 2 Barak MX air defense batteries and many missiles from Israel, and this purchase was made for a secret price. This situation has raised many questions about the defense spending and regional security policies of the Greek Cypriot Administration.
Technical Specifications of Barak MX System
Barak MX is a platform supported by advanced radar systems and multiple missile options. The system has three different types of missiles: Barak MR, Barak LR and Barak ER. These missiles have different range and altitude features and can be effective against various threats.
- Barak MRI: 35 km range, 20 km altitude
- Barak LR: 70 km range, 20 km altitude
- Barak ER: 150 km range, 30-35 km altitude
These missiles with different range characteristics make the system effective against a wide range of threats. In addition, the Barak MX system can work in harmony with various radars. ELM-2138 MMR or ELM-2084 MMR radars can be used depending on the range of the system.
Barak MX also has a flexible structure in terms of missile transportation. Missiles can be transported in containers with transportation vehicles such as trucks and lorries, which provides the advantage of being able to secretly place the system at strategic points. 8 missiles are ready to fire in a launcher in the system, which strengthens the ability to respond quickly.
Advantages and Future Role of Barak MX
Barak MX offers significant advantages not only in terms of air defense systems, but also in terms of operational flexibility and the capacity to manage multiple threats. For Cyprus, this system can provide an effective solution against regional security threats. In addition, the replacement of existing systems by Barak MX marks a significant evolution in the defense strategies of the Greek Cypriot Administration.
In the future, such advanced air defense systems are expected to become more widespread and an integrated security strategy is formed. The Greek Cypriot Administration's continued use of the Barak MX could affect the balance of power in the region and lead to a further strengthening of military relations with Israel.
In conclusion, the Barak MX air defense system stands out not only as a defense tool for the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus, but also as a strategic step. It can have significant effects on the defense policies of both Cyprus and other actors in the region.
