(Al Jazeera Media Network) Greece has inked a weapons deal with Israel that will see a $3.5-billion multi-layered air-defence system delivered to Athens in what is the largest defence agreement ever between the two countries.
The agreement, signed on Monday in Tel Aviv, comes as Greece’s relations with neighbour and rival Turkiye have grown more sour. It also, however, breaks with a broader European wariness of being seen as too close to Israel.
Greece and Israel have long shared economic and diplomatic ties. They have also regularly conducted joint military exercises.
The new purchase is part of Greece’s plans to modernise its military by 2030. Athens will spend about 28 billion euros ($32 billion) by 2036 to build the Israeli defence system, known collectively in Greece as the Achilles Shield, as well as to buy up to 40 F-35 fighter jets from the United States and frigates from France and Italy.
Achilles Shield, which was negotiated over three years, will be delivered in stages. It is scheduled to reach full operational readiness within 35 months.
What is included?
According to a statement by the Israeli Ministry of Defence, the Achilles Shield comprises three core systems:
- David’s Sling is developed by the Israeli Missile Defense Organization. It’s an advanced air and missile defence system designed to intercept tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and medium-to-long-range rockets through direct kinetic impact. It travels at supersonic speed and can engage threats from 40-300 km away.
- The Spyder is manufactured by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. This surface-to-air missile system is designed to engage low-altitude aerial threats such as aircraft, helicopters, drones and guided munitions.
- The Barak MX multi-modal defence system is manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries. It can engage a wider spectrum of threats, including cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, fighter jets, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles, from 35-150 km away using four models of interceptors.
As part of the deal, Israel will also deliver multi-mission radars for air surveillance, as well as an artificial intelligence-enabled command centre incorporating all the technologies.
A statement by an Israeli Defence Ministry spokesperson added that a supplementary deal valued at 26 million euros ($30 million) would see Israel sell Greece drone dome systems as well.
Why is this happening now?
Analysts say Greece is increasingly concerned about threats posed by the US-Israel war on Iran, especially as Tehran has launched strikes on US allies in the Gulf.
“One needs to be aware that Greece is the host of American naval bases and those might become in the future a target for the Iranians,” Wolfgang Pusztai, a security policy analyst who formerly served as an Austrian defence attache in Greece, told Al Jazeera.
“This is a capability that Greece and other European countries might need in the case that Iran is threatening them, too,” he added, referring to the defence systems.
While the US’s Patriot defence system is highly coveted, several European nations have been turning to Israel’s David Sling, which is cheaper and more effective, Pusztai said. The US itself is also running critically low on Patriots. In May, Switzerland was informed that a Patriots delivery from the US would be delayed and would be more expensive amid the war on Iran.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/8/31/why-has-greece-signed-a-3-5bn-missile-deal-with-israel
