{"id":36904,"date":"2026-07-24T10:27:17","date_gmt":"2026-07-24T07:27:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/?p=36904"},"modified":"2026-07-24T10:27:19","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T07:27:19","slug":"greece-approves-4-billion-defense-procurement-package-to-buy-air-defense-systems-from-israel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/greece-approves-4-billion-defense-procurement-package-to-buy-air-defense-systems-from-israel\/","title":{"rendered":"Greece approves $4 billion defense procurement package to buy air defense systems from Israel"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>5 minute read<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Greece has approved an agreement to purchase a multi-layered air defense system worth up to \u20ac3.5 billion ($4 billion) from Israel, marking one of the largest defense procurements in the country&#8217;s history and a major step in Greece&#8217;s long-term military modernization program.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The procurement package, approved by Greece&#8217;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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias said the country&#8217;s new integrated air defense network, known as &#8220;Achilles Shield,&#8221; will be fully operational within 35 months. &#8220;It will be ready and fully operational within 35 months, starting from today,&#8221; Dendias said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He added that Greek companies will manufacture at least 25% of the system, supporting domestic defense production alongside foreign suppliers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br><strong>Israeli Systems Form the Core of &#8220;Achilles Shield\u201d.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Achilles Shield is designed to provide Greece with layered protection against a wide range of aerial threats, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Ballistic missiles<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cruise missiles<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fighter aircraft<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Helicopters<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Drones<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Short-range rockets<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Israeli defense companies Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) will supply the core radars, interceptors, and command systems.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Israel-Arrow-3-missile.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1016\" height=\"572\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Israel-Arrow-3-missile.jpg?resize=1016%2C572&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"The process of loading an Arrow 3 anti-aircraft missile into a transport and launch container\" class=\"wp-image-33197\" style=\"width:840px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Israel-Arrow-3-missile.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Israel-Arrow-3-missile.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Israel-Arrow-3-missile.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Israel-Arrow-3-missile.jpg?resize=1536%2C864&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Israel-Arrow-3-missile.jpg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1016px) 100vw, 1016px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><sup>The process of loading an Arrow 3 anti-aircraft missile into a transport and launch container. (Image Credit: IAI)<\/sup><\/em><br><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to reports, the system will combine several proven Israeli air defense technologies:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>David&#8217;s Sling for long-range interception<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Barak MX for medium-range air defense<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Spyder for short-range air defense<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The layered architecture is intended to create overlapping defensive coverage capable of intercepting different types of threats at varying ranges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br><strong>David&#8217;s Sling Among the Key Components<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the most significant elements of the agreement is David&#8217;s Sling, one of Israel&#8217;s most advanced missile defense systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Designed to intercept cruise missiles, aircraft, drones, and certain ballistic threats, David&#8217;s Sling has an engagement range of up to 300 kilometers and interceptor speeds approaching Mach 7.5.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The system integrates several Israeli technologies, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>MMR radar developed by IAI&#8217;s Elta division<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Golden Almond command-and-control system developed by Elbit Systems&#8217; Elisra division<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Israel has exported David&#8217;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.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/David-Sling-missile-system.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"715\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/David-Sling-missile-system.jpg?resize=1000%2C715&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Israel's David's Sling weapons system stunner missile\" class=\"wp-image-14672\" style=\"width:840px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/David-Sling-missile-system.jpg?w=1000&amp;ssl=1 1000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/David-Sling-missile-system.jpg?resize=300%2C215&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/David-Sling-missile-system.jpg?resize=768%2C549&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/David-Sling-missile-system.jpg?resize=307%2C219&amp;ssl=1 307w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><sup>Israel&#8217;s David&#8217;s Sling weapons system stunner missile successfully completed a series of tests. (Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons)<\/sup><\/em><br><br><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Barak MX Expands Multi-Layer Protection<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The agreement also includes the Barak MX air defense system developed by Israel Aerospace Industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Barak MX is designed to defend against aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, cruise missiles, and surface-to-surface missiles through multiple interceptor variants:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Barak MRAD with a range of approximately 35 kilometers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Barak LRAD reaching around 70 kilometers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Barak ER, extending interception capability to roughly 150 kilometers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The modular design allows operators to combine different missiles, radars, and launchers within a single integrated command network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Barak family has previously been exported to several countries, including Azerbaijan and India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The short-range layer will be provided by Rafael&#8217;s Spyder air defense system. Spyder uses Python and Derby interceptor missiles to engage drones, helicopters, aircraft, and short-range ballistic missiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The system has gained increasing international attention in recent years, including major export agreements with Romania.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Greek-soldiers.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"690\" height=\"370\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Greek-soldiers.jpg?resize=690%2C370&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Greek soldiers\" class=\"wp-image-28551\" style=\"width:840px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Greek-soldiers.jpg?w=690&amp;ssl=1 690w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Greek-soldiers.jpg?resize=300%2C161&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 690px) 100vw, 690px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><sup>Greek Independence Day at Syntagma Square, Athens, Greece. (Image Credit: Ayhan Mehmet\/Anadolu Agency)<\/sup><\/em><br><br><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Additional Military Purchases Approved<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Beyond the air defense system, KYSEA approved several additional defense acquisitions aimed at improving Greece&#8217;s operational capabilities. The package includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Three Embraer C-390 military transport aircraft<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>U.S.-made V-BAT unmanned aerial vehicles<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Israeli Heron surveillance drones<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ten British-built VICTA mini-submarines for special operations forces<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The acquisitions reflect Greece&#8217;s effort to modernize multiple branches of its armed forces simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br><strong>Broader Military Modernization Efforts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The air defense agreement forms part of Greece&#8217;s broader plan to invest approximately $32 billion in defense through 2036.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Athens intends to modernize its military across air, naval, and land forces after years of limited investment. Planned acquisitions include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Up to 40 F-35 fifth-generation fighter aircraft from the United States<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>New frigates from France and Italy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Expanded drone capabilities<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Advanced missile defense systems<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Modern command-and-control infrastructure<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Greece currently relies on U.S.-made Patriot missile batteries alongside aging Russian S-300 systems to defend its airspace.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/NATO-fighter-jets.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"690\" height=\"370\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/NATO-fighter-jets.jpg?resize=690%2C370&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"NATO fighter aircraft\" class=\"wp-image-25106\" style=\"width:840px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/NATO-fighter-jets.jpg?w=690&amp;ssl=1 690w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/NATO-fighter-jets.jpg?resize=300%2C161&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 690px) 100vw, 690px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><sup>NATO fighter aircraft taking part in the Alliance&#8217;s newest exercise Ramstein Flag 24 in Greece. (Image Credit: X\/NATO Air Command)<\/sup><\/em><br><br><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Defense Spending Remains Among NATO&#8217;s Highest<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Greece spends nearly 3.5% of its gross domestic product (GDP) on defense, placing it among NATO&#8217;s highest military spenders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Successive Greek governments have accelerated defense procurement programs in response to longstanding security concerns in the Eastern Mediterranean, particularly tensions with neighboring Turkey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The latest purchases are intended to strengthen Greece&#8217;s air defense network and improve protection against increasingly sophisticated missile and drone threats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br><strong>Record Export Deal for Israel<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Greek agreement represents one of the largest defense export contracts in Israeli history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At approximately $4 billion, the deal surpasses Israel&#8217;s previous record export agreement\u2014the Arrow 3 missile defense sale to Germany signed in 2023, which was valued at around $3.5 billion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Israel&#8217;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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Greece agreement further strengthens Israel&#8217;s position as one of the world&#8217;s leading exporters of advanced air defense technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Iron-Dome-Air-Defence-Missile-System.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1016\" height=\"720\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Iron-Dome-Air-Defence-Missile-System.jpg?resize=1016%2C720&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Iron Dome Air Defense System with Tamir missile\" class=\"wp-image-32807\" style=\"width:840px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Iron-Dome-Air-Defence-Missile-System.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Iron-Dome-Air-Defence-Missile-System.jpg?resize=300%2C213&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Iron-Dome-Air-Defence-Missile-System.jpg?resize=1024%2C725&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Iron-Dome-Air-Defence-Missile-System.jpg?resize=768%2C544&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1016px) 100vw, 1016px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><sup>Iron Dome Air Defense System with Tamir missile. (Image Credit: IDF\/Wikimedia Commons)<\/sup><\/em><br><br><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Expanding Greece-Israel Strategic Partnership<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Their defense cooperation has deepened significantly over the past several years through equipment purchases, technology sharing, and increased military coordination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With the approval of the Achilles Shield program, Greece is now set to field one of Europe&#8217;s most advanced integrated air defense networks while further strengthening its long-term defense cooperation with Israel.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Greece has approved an agreement to purchase a multi-layered air defense system worth up to \u20ac3.5 billion ($4 billion) from Israel, marking one of the largest defense procurements in the country&#8217;s history and a major step in Greece&#8217;s long-term military modernization program.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":35132,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[62,44,1],"tags":[768,982,500,6,43,357,286,268,295,26,5,31,59,905,361,63],"class_list":["post-36904","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-europe","category-middle-east","category-news","tag-air-defense","tag-arrow-3","tag-ballistic-missile","tag-defense","tag-drone","tag-europe","tag-fighter-jet","tag-greece","tag-helicopter","tag-israel","tag-military","tag-missile","tag-nato","tag-rafael","tag-uav","tag-weapons"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/PULS-missile-system.jpg?fit=690%2C370&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7jJWb-9Be","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36904","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=36904"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36904\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":36906,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36904\/revisions\/36906"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/35132"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=36904"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=36904"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=36904"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}