IRIA News

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Greece has approved an agreement to purchase a multi-layered air defense system worth up to €3.5 billion ($4 billion) from Israel, marking one of the largest defense procurements in the country’s history and a major step in Greece’s long-term military modernization program.

The procurement package, approved by Greece’s National Security Council (KYSEA), also includes military transport aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and special operations equipment as Greece strengthens its armed forces amid evolving regional security challenges.

Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias said the country’s new integrated air defense network, known as “Achilles Shield,” will be fully operational within 35 months. “It will be ready and fully operational within 35 months, starting from today,” Dendias said.

He added that Greek companies will manufacture at least 25% of the system, supporting domestic defense production alongside foreign suppliers.

Israeli Systems Form the Core of “Achilles Shield”.

The Achilles Shield is designed to provide Greece with layered protection against a wide range of aerial threats, including:

• Ballistic missiles
• Cruise missiles
• Fighter aircraft
• Helicopters
• Drones
• Short-range rockets

Israeli defense companies Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) will supply the core radars, interceptors, and command systems.

According to reports, the system will combine several proven Israeli air defense technologies:

• David’s Sling for long-range interception
• Barak MX for medium-range air defense
• Spyder for short-range air defense

The layered architecture is intended to create overlapping defensive coverage capable of intercepting different types of threats at varying ranges.

David’s Sling Among the Key Components

One of the most significant elements of the agreement is David’s Sling, one of Israel’s most advanced missile defense systems.

Designed to intercept cruise missiles, aircraft, drones, and certain ballistic threats, David’s Sling has an engagement range of up to 300 kilometers and interceptor speeds approaching Mach 7.5.

The system integrates several Israeli technologies, including:

• MMR radar developed by IAI’s Elta division
• Golden Almond command-and-control system developed by Elbit Systems’ Elisra division

Israel has exported David’s Sling only sparingly. Finland previously purchased the system in a deal valued at roughly $360 million, making the Greek procurement one of its largest international deployments.

Barak MX Expands Multi-Layer Protection

The agreement also includes the Barak MX air defense system developed by Israel Aerospace Industries.

Barak MX is designed to defend against aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, cruise missiles, and surface-to-surface missiles through multiple interceptor variants:

• Barak MRAD with a range of approximately 35 kilometers
• Barak LRAD reaching around 70 kilometers
• Barak ER, extending interception capability to roughly 150 kilometers

The modular design allows operators to combine different missiles, radars, and launchers within a single integrated command network.

The Barak family has previously been exported to several countries, including Azerbaijan and India.

The short-range layer will be provided by Rafael’s Spyder air defense system. Spyder uses Python and Derby interceptor missiles to engage drones, helicopters, aircraft, and short-range ballistic missiles.

The system has gained increasing international attention in recent years, including major export agreements with Romania.

Additional Military Purchases Approved

Beyond the air defense system, KYSEA approved several additional defense acquisitions aimed at improving Greece’s operational capabilities. The package includes:

• Three Embraer C-390 military transport aircraft
• U.S.-made V-BAT unmanned aerial vehicles
• Israeli Heron surveillance drones
• Ten British-built VICTA mini-submarines for special operations forces

The acquisitions reflect Greece’s effort to modernize multiple branches of its armed forces simultaneously.

Broader Military Modernization Efforts

The air defense agreement forms part of Greece’s broader plan to invest approximately $32 billion in defense through 2036.

Athens intends to modernize its military across air, naval, and land forces after years of limited investment. Planned acquisitions include:

• Up to 40 F-35 fifth-generation fighter aircraft from the United States
• New frigates from France and Italy
• Expanded drone capabilities
• Advanced missile defense systems
• Modern command-and-control infrastructure

Greece currently relies on U.S.-made Patriot missile batteries alongside aging Russian S-300 systems to defend its airspace.

Defense Spending Remains Among NATO’s Highest

Greece spends nearly 3.5% of its gross domestic product (GDP) on defense, placing it among NATO’s highest military spenders.

Successive Greek governments have accelerated defense procurement programs in response to longstanding security concerns in the Eastern Mediterranean, particularly tensions with neighboring Turkey.

The latest purchases are intended to strengthen Greece’s air defense network and improve protection against increasingly sophisticated missile and drone threats.

Record Export Deal for Israel

The Greek agreement represents one of the largest defense export contracts in Israeli history.

At approximately $4 billion, the deal surpasses Israel’s previous record export agreement—the Arrow 3 missile defense sale to Germany signed in 2023, which was valued at around $3.5 billion.

Israel’s defense industry has experienced rapid growth in recent years. Government figures show Israeli defense exports reached a record $22 billion in 2025, with government-to-government agreements accounting for roughly half of total sales.

The Greece agreement further strengthens Israel’s position as one of the world’s leading exporters of advanced air defense technologies.

Expanding Greece-Israel Strategic Partnership

The procurement also reflects the steadily expanding defense relationship between Greece and Israel. The two countries conduct regular joint military exercises, cooperate on cybersecurity and counter-drone technologies, and jointly operate an international air training center in Greece.

Their defense cooperation has deepened significantly over the past several years through equipment purchases, technology sharing, and increased military coordination.

Last year, Greece also acquired 36 Israeli-made rocket artillery systems in a deal valued at approximately $740 million, highlighting the growing strategic partnership between the two nations.

With the approval of the Achilles Shield program, Greece is now set to field one of Europe’s most advanced integrated air defense networks while further strengthening its long-term defense cooperation with Israel.