Greece to Sign €3 Billion Air Defence Deal with Israel
Greece will sign agreements worth about €3 billion with Israel for advanced missile and radar systems, part of a larger defence overhaul.
Greece is set to finalise a major defence procurement with Israel on Monday, signing agreements valued at approximately €3 billion ($3.5 billion) for a multi-layer air defence system. The deal, which has received initial approval from Greece's security council, covers advanced short, medium, and long-range missile systems along with radar technology.
Officials in Athens will sign four agreements with Israeli defence directorates SIBAT and MAFAT in Tel Aviv. The package includes three types of missiles and radar systems, with a separate accord for an anti-drone system also expected to be inked.
The purchase is a component of Greece's broader "Achilles Shield" initiative, a multi-layer anti-ballistic, anti-aircraft, and anti-drone architecture. Under this programme, Athens plans to allocate about €28 billion by 2036, which also includes the acquisition of up to 40 F-35 fighter jets from the United States and frigates from France and Italy.
Greece currently relies on a mix of U.S.-made Patriot systems, Russian S-300s, and various short-range defences. Its defence spending stands at nearly 3.5% of GDP, a higher share than most NATO allies, driven largely by its long-standing tensions with Turkey.
Defence cooperation between Greece and Israel has deepened in recent years. The two nations operate a joint air training centre in Greece, conduct annual military exercises, and collaborate on anti-drone technology and cybersecurity. Last year, Athens acquired 36 Israeli-made rocket artillery systems for roughly €650 million.