Cyprus Navy commissions its first OPV

The Cyprus Naval Command has commissioned its first offshore patrol vessel (OPV) Commodore Andreas Ioannides (P61) in a ceremony at the Evangelos Florakis naval base at Larnaca.

The 62-metre OPV was built by Israel Shipyards and launched in September before further outfitting and trials.

Commodore Andreas Ioannides will be used to protect the Cypriot Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

The OPV has a displacement of 430 tonnes and reaches a maximum speed of 32 knots. It carries up to 30 crew members and a special forces unit.

The defence ministry announced in December it would acquire another two OPVs, with the process of evaluating bids already under way.