Israel and Cyprus have signed a defense agreement under which Israel will provide Cyprus with a new offshore patrol vessel, the Israeli Defense Ministry announced Monday.

The vessel will be constructed by Israel Shipyards and equipped with naval systems developed by Israeli defense company Rafael. The agreement also includes upgrades to the systems aboard Cyprus’s existing patrol vessel, the Commodore Andreas Ioannides, which was also built by Israel Shipyards.

The agreement was signed by Israeli Defense Ministry Director-General Amir Baram and his Cypriot counterpart, Stelios Kountouris.

According to Israel’s Defense Ministry, the agreement “marks another important step in strengthening the operational capabilities of the Cyprus Naval Command and enhancing its capacity to respond to maritime security challenges.”

The ministry said the new patrol vessel, together with the upgraded Commodore Andreas Ioannides, “will support expanded patrol, surveillance, and search-and-rescue missions,” improving Cyprus’s ability to monitor and protect its surrounding waters.

The ministry added that “by strengthening their capabilities and deepening their partnership, the two countries reaffirm their commitment to regional stability.”

The agreement comes just days after Libya and Turkey ratified a maritime-boundaries agreement in the Mediterranean. Israel, Cyprus, Greece and several other countries have opposed the deal, which has raised concerns over maritime claims and regional interests.