Greece and Israel sign 3 billion euro Achilles Shield air defense deal

Multi-tiered defense agreement

Greece and Israel signed a defense export contract valued at nearly 3 billion euros (3.5 billion dollars) on Monday in Tel Aviv to build an integrated air defense network known as Achilles Shield. The agreement represents the largest bilateral weapons transaction between the two Mediterranean nations. Under the contract, Israeli state-owned and private defense manufacturers will equip Greece with a multi-layered shield designed to counter ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz described the partnership as a response to regional security pressures.

Israel and Greece share common strategic interests and face shared regional challenges.

Negotiated over three years, the system is scheduled to reach full operational capability within 35 months.

Integrated weapons and surveillance systems

The Achilles Shield architecture combines three distinct Israeli air defense platforms alongside sensor and management networks. Rafael Advanced Defense Systems is supplying the David's Sling system, which intercepts tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and long-range rockets at ranges between 40 kilometers and 300 kilometers through kinetic impact. Rafael will also deliver the SPYDER surface-to-air system for low-altitude threats, including drones and guided munitions, while Israel Aerospace Industries provides the Barak MX system, capable of engaging aerial targets from 35 kilometers to 150 kilometers. In addition, ELTA Systems, a subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries, will supply multi-mission radar units for air surveillance. A separate 26-million-euro contract was signed for Rafael's Drone Dome system to guard strategic sites against unmanned aircraft.

Modernisation program and NATO spending

The procurement forms the cornerstone of a ten-year Greek military modernization effort initiated by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in April 2025. Greece plans to allocate roughly 28 billion euros by 2036 to overhaul its armed forces, including acquisitions of up to 40 American F-35 fighter aircraft and naval frigates from France and Italy. Greek defense spending currently approaches 3.5% of gross domestic product, placing the country among the highest proportional defense spenders in NATO alongside Poland and the Baltic states. Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias noted that the technological requirements of deterrence have shifted substantially.

Modern conflicts have already altered the parameters of military defense and deterrence.

Strategic alignment and defense exports

The transaction reflects a bilateral strategic partnership that gained momentum in 2010 following a diplomatic rupture between Israel and Turkey over the Mavi Marmara incident. While several European Union members such as Ireland, Spain, and Slovenia have paused or reduced arms transactions with Israel since 2023, Greece has expanded its procurement ties. Israel recorded over 19 billion dollars in total defense exports last year, a 30% increase from 2024. Previous bilateral contracts between the two countries included a 1.65-billion-dollar project with Elbit Systems to establish an air force flight training school in southern Greece, as well as planned deliveries of anti-tank missiles and rocket launchers.