Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has hailed a €3 billion air-defense agreement with Greece as one of the largest in Israel’s history, calling it a cornerstone of the Eastern Mediterranean alliance forged a decade ago with Athens and Cyprus.
In a social media post, Mr. Netanyahu said the “Achilles Shield” pact demonstrated the strength of Israel’s defense and technology industries and confidence in its defense exports.
“This move expresses Israel’s strength, the confidence in our defense exports, and the strengthening of regional alliances,” he wrote.
The deal, signed in Tel Aviv by Israeli Defense Ministry Director-General Maj. Gen. (Res.) Amir Baram and Greek defense procurement chief Maj. Gen. Ioannis Bouras, provides Greece with a multi-layered air-defense array built entirely on Israeli systems.
Under the agreement, Israel will supply David’s Sling missile-defense batteries, Rafael’s Spyder mobile air-defense systems, Israel Aerospace Industries’ Barak MX air and missile defense systems, multi-mission radars and a new national command-and-control center.
A separate €26 million ($30 million) deal covers Rafael’s Drone Dome systems to protect strategic sites against drones
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the two countries “share common strategic interests and face shared regional challenges.”
He added that “at a time when actors with hegemonic ambitions are seeking to expand their influence and undermine stability in the region, Israel and Greece will continue to deepen their defense and strategic cooperation.”
The Achilles Shield program, negotiated over three years, is scheduled to reach full operational readiness within 35 months. It is part of Greece’s broader $31.8 billion military modernization plan through 2036, which also includes up to 40 U.S. F-35 fighter jets and frigates from France and Italy.