Israeli defense establishment prepares for conquest of Gaza City

Greece and Israel are set to sign a €3.1 billion agreement on Monday, formalizing a multi-layered air and missile defence network, marking a shift from approval to implementation of Greece's Achilles' Shield programme. The signing is expected to take place in Tel Aviv on August 31 between Greece’s General Directorate for Defence Investments and Armaments and SIBAT, Israel’s international defence cooperation directorate, alongside collaborating companies.

The programme combines Israeli-made interception systems with command-and-control infrastructure designed to protect Greece against various aerial threats, including aircraft, ballistic missiles, drones, and other aerial hazards. Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias estimates the air-defence component alone at slightly over €3 billion, with the entire system to be delivered in stages, becoming operational within 35 months.

The plan incorporates Rafael Advanced Defense Systems’ SPYDER air-defence system, David’s Sling for intercepting larger rockets and missiles, and Israel Aerospace Industries’ Barak MX air and missile defence system, all functioning as interconnected layers within a unified network. A central command-and-control structure linking sensors, interceptors, and operational decision-making is also planned.

Greek officials insist on accessing source code for critical command-and-control systems, emphasizing the need for Greece to retain sovereign control over software architecture and future modifications. The agreement also mandates a minimum of 25% domestic participation by Greek companies, with the industrial contribution expected to surpass €700 million.

Beyond the purchase of completed Israeli systems, Greek entities will contribute through production, integration, support, and other services under the programme, though the specific allocation of contracts among participating firms remains undisclosed. The Achilles' Shield initiative aligns with Greece's broader defence modernisation plan, which aims to replace aging equipment and enhance protection against missiles and unmanned systems.

The government projects substantial defence spending over the next decade, encompassing combat aircraft, naval vessels, drones, and corresponding infrastructure. Greece currently operates US-made Patriot batteries and Russian-designed S-300 systems, with the new air-defence plan intended to create a more cohesive network spanning multiple threat ranges.

The existing capabilities are anticipated to remain relevant as the new architecture is phased in. The agreement also strengthens the existing defense procurement relationship between Greece and Israel, as evidenced by a separate June 4 agreement for Elbit Systems’ PULS rocket artillery systems valued at about $750 million, or approximately €650 million.

This transaction, signed by officials from SIBAT and Greece’s armaments directorate, involves Elbit Systems Land and is separate from the larger Achilles' Shield package scheduled for signing in Tel Aviv. The scale and technological integration of the air-defence programme have garnered significant attention due to its ambitious scope and the envisioned integrated approach.