Greece signs $3.5bn air defence deal with Israel

On Monday, Greece and Israel signed a $3.5 billion defense agreement that will see Israel construct a multi-layered air defense system for Greece, marking the largest defense export deal in the history of the two countries' relations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis shook hands in Jerusalem after the signing.

The agreement will fund the development of an integrated anti-drone, anti-ballistic missile, and anti-aircraft air defense system dubbed Achilles Shield. Greece will purchase Israel's David's Sling, SPYDER systems, Barak MX systems, and MMR multi-mission radars for air surveillance. Greece will be only the second customer for Israel's David's Sling, following Finland.

This defense deal is a reflection of the deepening ties between Greece and Israel, which are reshaping geopolitics in the Eastern Mediterranean amid rising tensions between Israel and Turkey, Greece's historic foe.