Israel and Greece Sign €3 Billion Air Defence Agreement

Israel and Greece have formalised a defence agreement worth €3 billion (approximately $3.5 billion) under which Israel will construct a multi-layered air defence network for Greece. The deal, signed on Monday, is among the largest defence export contracts in Israel's history and represents its biggest-ever such agreement with Greece.

Amir Baram, director general of Israel's defence ministry, described the initiative, codenamed Achilles Shield, as a reflection of Israel's technological capabilities and the field-proven performance of its defence systems.

The package includes the supply of David's Sling and SPYDER systems from Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, the BARAK MX system from Israel Aerospace Industries, and MMR multi-mission radars for air surveillance produced by IAI unit ELTA Systems. David's Sling was previously used by Israel to intercept Iranian missiles during the conflict with Iran earlier this year. Greece becomes the second nation to acquire the system, following Finland.

As part of the arrangement, Greece will also receive a new national command-and-control system developed by Rafael to integrate its air-defence capabilities. A separate supplementary agreement worth €26 million covers the supply of Rafael's Drone Dome systems to safeguard strategic sites against drone threats.

Greece allocates nearly 3.5% of its gross domestic product to defence, a higher share than many NATO allies, largely due to its long-standing tensions with Turkey. Athens has outlined plans to spend approximately €28 billion by 2036 on the Achilles Shield multi-layer anti-ballistic, anti-aircraft, and anti-drone system, alongside acquisitions of up to 40 F-35 fighter jets from the United States and frigates from France and Italy.

Israel will also expand defence-industrial cooperation with Greece, including technology transfers and expertise sharing with local industry.