Israel is in talks with Cyprus about the sale Merkava tanks, Israeli media reported.

“A security source has revealed that Israel is planning to sell hundreds of older tanks to a European country. A Cypriot source confirmed that talks were held with Israel on the issue,” Haaretz newspaper reported.

An official in Lefkasia, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that “negotiations have taken place between the two countries” but declined to elaborate on the deal itself. or a schedule for its completion, the report said.

Last week, the head of the Israeli Defense Ministry’s export coordination department said that “Israel is in negotiations with two countries, including one in Europe, regarding the sale of older Merkava tanks that are no longer used by the Israeli army,” he said Haaretz.

The agreement will mark the first sale Merkava battle tank from Israel to a European country, if completed, he added.

It is noted that the news of the sale of the tanks is reproduced in the Turkish media.

Merkavas have been the main battle tanks of the Israeli armed forces since the 1980s. Lately, the Israeli army has been replacing most of its Merkava Mark 3 tanks with the more advanced Mark 4 models.