Israel signs $3.5 billion air defence deal with Greece
By Steven Scheer and Lefteris Papadimas JERUSALEM/ATHENS, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Israel and Greece signed a €3 billion ($3.5 billion) defence deal on Monday under which Israel will build a multi-layered air defence system for Greece as Athens pushes ahead with a broader military modernisation programme. Israel's defence ministry said it was Israel's largest-ever defence export deal with Greece and…
Jerusalem and Athens have signed a €3 billion ($3.5 billion) defense agreement, with Israel agreeing to construct a multi-layered air defense system for Greece. This deal marks Israel's largest-ever defense export to Greece and one of the biggest in the nation's history. The agreement, dubbed the "Achilles Shield deal", confirms a previous report by Reuters. Israel's Defense Ministry director general, Amir Baram, highlighted the deal as evidence of Israel's technological advantage and proven military prowess.
Under the agreement, Israel will provide Greece with the David's Sling, SPYDER, and BARAK MX systems, all developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries, along with multi-mission radars for air surveillance manufactured by IAI's ELTA Systems. The David's Sling system was utilized during Israel's conflict with Iran this year to intercept incoming missiles. This makes Greece the second customer for the David's Sling system, following Finland's acquisition.
Greece currently allocates nearly 3.5% of its gross domestic product to defense spending, a higher percentage than many NATO allies, due to its longstanding dispute with Turkey. In 2036, Greece plans to invest approximately €28 billion to build the multi-layer Achilles Shield system, which includes air-defense, anti-ballistic, and anti-drone capabilities. This investment plan also includes procuring up to 40 F-35 fighter jets from the United States, and frigates from France and Italy.
As part of the agreement, Greece will receive a new national command-and-control system, developed by Rafael, to integrate the country's air-defense capabilities. Additionally, Greece will obtain Rafael's Drone Dome systems to safeguard strategic sites against drones, enhancing existing defense measures. This supplementary €26 million deal further solidifies the defense-industrial cooperation between Israel and Greece, involving the transfer of technology and expertise to Greece's local defense industry.
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