French defense company Arquus has secured a significant contract to deliver 12 SHERPA Station Wagon vehicles, equipped with MBDA’s advanced AKERON missile launchers, to Cyprus. The agreement was formalized during the DEFEA exhibition in Athens, underscoring a pivotal moment in Franco-Cypriot defense cooperation. This deal represents not only an enhancement of Cyprus’ military capabilities but also a strategic step toward long-term collaboration between the two nations. The contract aligns with a broader partnership framework between France’s Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) and the Cypriot Ministry of Defence. According to Arquus, the SHERPA vehicles will be specifically adapted to integrate the AKERON missile system, which the company will install directly. Ballistic windows can be fitted on the windshield and doors, ensuring enhanced crew protection, while the vehicles are marketed through MACK Defense under the designation Sherpa Scout.
During the DEFEA exhibition, the Cypriot delegation, led by Anna Aristotelous, the newly appointed Permanent Secretary of Cyprus’ Ministry of Defence, and Panayiotis Symeou, National Director of Armament, visited the Arquus stand. The presentation highlighted the SHERPA SW variant, showcasing its integration with both the AKERON missile system and the Hornet Remote Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS), demonstrating the vehicle’s versatility and advanced combat capabilities. This partnership between Cyprus and Arquus stems from high-level diplomatic engagements, including a meeting between Cypriot President Níkos Christodoulídis and French President Emmanuel Macron. Arquus views this contract as the first phase of a long-term collaboration aimed at bolstering Cyprus’ defense industrial base. The company expressed its satisfaction with the agreement, emphasizing its commitment to expanding its presence in the region and becoming a trusted defense partner for Cyprus.
The Cyprus Delegation received by Emmanuel Levacher, Arquus CEO. (Photo by Arquus)
Central to the success of this initiative is the industrial collaboration between Arquus and MBDA. The AKERON missile system, formerly known as MMP (Missile Moyenne Portée), is a fifth-generation man-portable anti-tank guided missile system designed for modern battlefield requirements. Featuring fire-and-forget capabilities, it supports both lock-on before launch (LOBL) and lock-on after launch (LOAL) firing modes, enabling engagement of visible targets and non-line-of-sight threats. Additionally, the system incorporates retargeting functionality, allowing operators to redirect the missile mid-flight toward emerging or higher-priority targets. To further enhance operational flexibility, MBDA has developed the LYNKEUS IMPACT TURRET, a 250kg-class remote-controlled turret optimized for deployment on light combat vehicles, unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), and naval platforms such as unmanned surface vessels (USVs). The land variant of the turret features a twin launcher capable of deploying two ready-to-fire AKERON MP missiles alongside a 7.62mm general-purpose machine gun. For naval applications, the turret retains the twin missile configuration but omits the machine gun. Operators can control the turret remotely from inside the vehicle or via a laptop console, ensuring maximum safety during operations.
The effectiveness of the SHERPA-AKERON integration was validated during test firings conducted in Cyprus in September 2022. These trials demonstrated successful target engagement at distances ranging from 2,500 to 3,000 meters, both autonomously and collaboratively, confirming the system’s compatibility with the SHERPA platform. This procurement forms part of a broader effort to modernize the Cypriot National Guard’s fleet of 4×4 and 6×6 VAB vehicles. By acquiring these advanced systems, Cyprus aims to strengthen its anti-tank and overall defense capabilities, positioning itself as a more formidable force within the Eastern Mediterranean region. As Arquus and MBDA continue to deepen their ties with Cyprus, this agreement marks a significant milestone in regional defense modernization efforts. It also highlights the growing importance of Franco-Cypriot defense relations in addressing evolving security challenges.
