Israel and Greece sign a multi-billion-dollar weapons deal, the largest between the countries

Tel Aviv, Israel — In a significant multi-billion-dollar weapons deal, Israel signed a defense export pact with Greece on Monday, marking the largest agreement between the two Mediterranean nations. Dubbed the Achilles Shield, the 3 billion Euro ($3.5 billion) deal represents one of Israel's largest arms exports, incorporating a comprehensive air defense system utilizing Israeli technology.

Israel's Defense Minister, Israel Katz, highlighted the shared strategic interests of the two countries and the need to counter regional threats amid the presence of hegemonic powers aspiring to expand their influence in the region.

The deal reflects the surge in Israeli arms exports, which reached a record high of over $19 billion in 2024, a 30% increase from the previous year, despite ongoing criticism of Israel's actions in conflicts involving Gaza, Hezbollah, and Iran. Experts attribute the trust in Israeli weapons to their battle-tested nature and the real-time verification of their effectiveness.

Defense ties between Israel and Greece have strengthened over the past decade, with Monday's signing representing the most substantial agreement to date. The pact includes a multilayered air defense system, drawing on numerous Israeli systems such as David Sling, SPYDER, and a new national command and control system. This is Israel's first comprehensive provision of defense weapons, ranging from ballistic missile defenses to drones.

Earlier agreements between the two nations encompassed a $1.65 billion contract with Israeli defense contractor Elbit for a flight training school in Greece and the anticipated sale of Israeli rocket launchers, anti-tank guided missiles, and drones. Greece acknowledges that outdated defense doctrines are now deemed "completely unrealistic," while Israel maintains that this agreement provides a complete array of defense weaponry to counter a broad spectrum of threats.

The deal also includes a $30 million (26 million Euro) contract for the sale of Rafael’s Drone Dome systems.