Cyprus' new air defense system was launched on Tuesday, designed to protect the country from aerial threats, similar to Israel's Iron Dome.

According to reports, the Cypriot National Guard received the Israeli Barak MH system just a few days ago. The first battery was activated on Tuesday. Greece will follow the example, reports Kathimeriini. 

With the completion of the order, Cyprus will receive a modern air defense shield capable of intercepting and neutralizing targets beyond the island's borders. The system can engage threats at a range of 2 to 150 km.

Discussions between the Republic of Cyprus and the Directorate of International Defense Cooperation of the Israeli Ministry of Defense (SIBAT) were completed in 2021, leading to the signing of the respective agreements.

Now, nearly three years later, Nicosia possesses one of the most advanced and powerful anti-aircraft systems that greatly exceeds the capabilities of the S-300 long-range surface-to-air missile systems. Turkey is silent for now.

The Barak MX system is capable of countering a wide range of air threats, including helicopters, drones, cruise missiles, aircraft and even ballistic missiles.

Athens is following Nicosia's lead, with discussions underway with Israel to procure similar systems to establish a Greek anti-aircraft "dome".

According to reports, Greece is focusing on acquiring the David Sling and Spyder defense systems to cover medium and long-range threats, while also working on developing its own systems and co-production with Israel.

Greece's "Iron Dome" faces greater challenges due to Greece's geography, the proximity of potential threats, and the vast area the air defense system has to cover.

The civilian and military leadership's plan calls for the development of a multi-layered defense system that will have soft kill capabilities, such as early detection and identification of threats, as well as hard kill capabilities to intercept and neutralize air threats.

In addition to Israeli systems, Greece's defense framework is slated to include Patriot batteries, FDI frigates with advanced air defense, and a combination of new and existing systems that will collectively contribute to the "dome."