Greece to buy $3 billion ‘Achilles Shield’ missile defense system from Israel

Greece has approved the purchase of a multi-layer air defense system from Israel, several types of drones and Embraer’s C-390 military transport aircraft, the Greek defense minister said on Thursday.

Greece is spending $3.1 billion on the system, and Reuters said its cost could be up to $4 billion.

The country’s security council, KYSEA, gave its initial approval earlier this year and approved the procurement contracts on Thursday, Nikos Dendias told journalists.

Greece wants to build a multi-layer anti-ballistic, anti-aircraft and anti-drone system, called “Achilles Shield,” with Israeli radars and missiles from the state-run Rafael and IAI defense companies forming the core of the system.

“It will be ready and fully operational within 35 months, starting from today,” said Dendias, adding that companies in Greece will produce at least 25 percent of the system.

Multiple other countries, including the United States and Ukraine, have expressed a desire to emulate Israel’s missile defense systems, including Iron Dome, following their frequent use in the country’s multifront war.

With strong economic and diplomatic ties, Greece and Israel operate an air training center on Greek territory, hold joint military annual drills and cooperate on anti-drone systems and cybersecurity. Last year, Athens bought 36 Israeli-made rocket artillery systems for about $739 million.

Dendias said that KYSEA had also approved the purchase of Heron UAVs from Israel, as well as three C-390 military transport aircraft, 10 British-built VICTA mini-submarines for special operations and US V-BAT unmanned aerial vehicles.

Greece has traditionally invested at least 2% of gross domestic product on its defense, owing to decades of tension with regional rival Turkey, which has also emerged as an adversary of Israel.

Lately, Greece has sought to strengthen its position on the EU’s Eastern Mediterranean border, close to the conflict zones of the Middle East. It now spends nearly 3.5% of its gross domestic product on defense, a higher proportion than many fellow NATO countries.

Under Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Greece has invested heavily in upgrading its armed forces, initially in French-made Belharra ships and Rafale warplanes.

Greece, which currently uses US Patriot and old Russian S-300 systems to protect its airspace, plans to spend about $32 billion by 2036 to modernize its armed forces. This includes buying up to 40 new F-35 fighter jets from the US and frigates from France and Italy.

The conservative Mitsotakis, who faces elections by next spring, has called the project the “most drastic” defense overhaul in modern Greek history.

The Greek defense ministry has said Athens must incorporate lessons from the war in Ukraine to modernize its forces and meet the challenges of the 21st century.

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.