According to information published by the “Ekathimerini” website on April 4, 2022, the United States has asked Cyprus government if it would be possible to transfer Russian-made weapons and combat vehicles in services with the Cyprus armed forces including TOR-M1 and S-300 air defense missile systems (apparently incorrect, since transferred to Greece in 2019), T-80U main battle tank, BMP-3 tracked armored IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) and Mi-35 attack helicopter (also phased out of service) .
US has requested Cyprus to deliver T-80U tanks, BMP-3 IFVs, S-300 and TOR-M1 air defense missile systems, and Mi-35P helicopters for its military arsenal to Ukraine.
Kathimerini’s sources stated that the Americans has requested the Cyprus Government to donate TOR-M1 and S-300 air defense missile system as well as T-80U main battle tanks, BMP-3 tracked armored IFVs (Infantry Fighting Vehicles) and Mi-35 attack helicopters.
Citing the Kathimerini, the request from U.S. was received positively by President Nicos Anastasiades who gave the go-ahead for further discussions to be done quickly.
According to the Military Balance 2021, the Cyprus army has a total of 82 Soviet-made T-80U MBTs (Main Battle Tanks), 43 BMP-3 tracked armored IFVs (Infantry Fighting Vehicles), six 9K331 TOR-M1 (NATO code designation SA-15 Gauntlet), 11 Mi-35P Hind-E. Cyprus was equipped with Soviet-made S-300 PMU1 that were transferred to Greece after the Cyprus Missile Crisis.
The Cypriot S-300 crisis was a tense and rapidly escalating political standoff between the Republic of Cyprus and the Republic of Turkey between early 1997 and late 1998. The confrontation was sparked by Cypriot plans to install two Russian-made S-300 air defense missile sites on their territory, provoking Turkey into threatening an attack or even all-out war if the missiles were not returned to Russia.