Greece’s National Security Council (KYSEA) have approved a multibillion-euro defense package centered on the "Achilles Shield," a state-of-the-art air and missile defense system designed to protect against evolving threats from Iran and its proxies.
The €3 billion ($3.48 billion) centerpiece, developed in close coordination with Israel, will create a five-layer defensive "dome" over Greek territory.
The system integrates AI-powered sensors and interceptors such as David’s Sling and Barak MX to counter ballistic missiles, loitering munitions, and low-flying drones.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who chaired the council, characterized the shield as a vital response to the "new era" of aerial warfare currently unfolding in the Middle East.
The meeting at Maximos Mansion focused on protecting strategic energy hubs and military installations, such as the Souda Bay naval base in Crete, which officials fear could be targeted by Iranian-made UAVs.
To bolster this "offensive-defensive" posture, the council also greenlit the €1 billion modernization of 38 F-16 Block 50 fighter jets to the advanced "Viper" configuration.
This upgrade will bring the Hellenic Air Force's fleet of Vipers to over 100, ensuring interoperability with fifth-generation F-35 stealth fighters arriving in 2028.
Beyond air superiority, KYSEA ended years of delays by approving the modernization of four MEKO-class frigates and a major maintenance contract for the C-27J Spartan transport fleet. "We are moving into an era where the Greek Armed Forces will be the strongest in our history," Defense Minister Nikos Dendias said following the session.
The package includes a mandate for 25% Greek industrial participation, aimed at reducing dependence on foreign suppliers.
The move comes just days after a Greek Patriot battery deployed in Saudi Arabia successfully intercepted ballistic missiles targeting oil infrastructure, a mission that has drawn international praise but sparked intense political debate in Athens over Greece’s deepening involvement in the regional conflict.