Greece Boosts Defense with $4 Billion Israeli System

PHOTO CAPTION: FILE PHOTO: Military planes fly above the Acropolis of Athens, as part of a military parade marking the country’s Independence Day, in Athens, Greece, March 25, 2026. REUTERS/Louisa Gouliamaki/File Photo

Greece has approved the purchase of a multi-layer air-defense system worth up to €3.5 billion, or about $4 billion, from Israel, along with several types of drones and three Embraer C-390 military transport aircraft, Defense Minister Nikos Dendias said Thursday. The country’s security council, KYSEA, gave the plan initial approval earlier this year and approved the procurement contracts on Thursday.

Greece plans to build a multi-layer anti-ballistic, anti-aircraft and anti-drone system called “Achilles Shield.” Israeli radars and missiles from Rafael and IAI will form the core of the system.

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

Greece currently uses U.S. Patriot and older Russian S-300 systems to protect its airspace. The country plans to spend approximately €28 billion by 2036 to modernize its armed forces, including the purchase of up to 40 U.S. F-35 fighter jets and frigates from France and Italy.

Dendias said KYSEA also approved the purchase of three C-390 military transport aircraft, 10 British-built VICTA mini-submarines for special operations, U.S. V-BAT unmanned aerial vehicles and Israeli Heron UAVs.

Greece spends nearly 3.5% of its gross domestic product on defense, a higher share than many other NATO countries, because of its long-standing dispute with Turkey.

Greece and Israel maintain strong economic, diplomatic and military ties. They operate an air-training center in Greece, hold annual joint military exercises and cooperate on anti-drone systems and cybersecurity.

Last year, Greece purchased 36 Israeli-made rocket artillery systems for about €650 million. (Reporting by Lefteris Papadimas; Editing by Lincoln Feast and Alexander Smith)

(Source: Reuters)