Greece and Israel sign multi-billion euro defense agreement

Greece and Israel have officially signed a historic defense agreement dubbed the Achilles Shield, valued at €3 billion. This comprehensive contract involves the integration of advanced Israeli air defense systems, including SPYDER, David’s Sling, and BARAK MX, alongside ELTA multi-mission radars into a unified Greek air defense network. A separate €26 million contract will supply Drone Dome systems to protect strategic facilities. The initiative aims to provide robust protection against aircraft, cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and drones, while also fostering technology transfer and providing Greek companies with projects worth over €700 million.

Following the signing, Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias emphasized that Greece is establishing a European production base to counter emerging aerial threats. The agreement has drawn sharp criticism from Turkey, with some Turkish officials warning of economic repercussions. Meanwhile, the Greek government is utilizing the move to bolster its deterrence capability, planning to leverage these security developments in discussions with European partners regarding Mediterranean stability. The project represents the first instance of Israel delivering a complete, integrated air defense system of this scale to another nation.