Deal worth billions of euros for an Israeli air defense system for Greece

Greece is set to acquire an Israeli air defense system worth up to 3.5 billion euros. The KYSEA Security Council will discuss this matter on Thursday, along with the acquisition of several types of drones, according to Reuters and other sources.

Through this project, dubbed “Achilles Shield,” Athens intends to establish a multi-layered defense system against ballistic missiles, air attacks, and drones. The system will rely primarily on Israeli radars and missiles supplied by Rafael and Israel Aerospace Industries.

This agreement is part of a broader modernization effort for the Greek armed forces. Athens had previously announced its intention to invest approximately 28 billion euros in defense by 2036, notably for the acquisition of up to forty F-35 fighter jets from the United States and frigates from France and Italy. Greece currently spends nearly 3.5% of its GDP on defense, a percentage higher than that of many other NATO countries.

Greece is investing in defense

This increase in the defense budget is closely linked to the tensions with Turkey that have persisted for decades. At the same time, Greece maintains close military ties with Israel. The two countries jointly operate a fighter pilot training center on Greek territory, conduct joint exercises, and also collaborate in the areas of anti-drone systems and cybersecurity. Last year, Greece had already approved the purchase of 36 Israeli missile artillery systems for approximately 650 million euros. According to Reuters, the KYSEA could also approve the purchase of drones from the United States and Israel on Thursday. At present, Greece still relies on U.S. Patriot systems and older Russian S-300 batteries to protect its airspace.