Greece signs $3.5bn deal for Israeli air-defence systems

Israel and Greece have signed a $3.5 billion defence deal for the integrated ‘Achilles Shield’ air defence. Greece will purchase a multi-layered air defence system as part of the Hellenic Republic’s broader military modernisation programme.

Greece’s purchase of Israel’s ‘Achilles Shield’

The deal is the largest ever between the two Eastern Mediterranean countries and one of Greece’s largest ever. Israel is to provide Greece with David’s Sling and SPYDER systems and the BARAK MX system built by Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries contractors.

The defence agreement also includes ELTA Systems’ MMR multi-mission radars used for air surveillance. Additionally, there is a smaller supplementary agreement for Greece to acquire Israel’s Rafael Drone Dome systems to provide strategic sites with counter-UAS capabilities.

An approximately €3 billion deal: Israel and Greece have signed the massive "Achilles Shield" agreement, under which Israel will build Greece a multi-layered air defense array based on Israeli systems architecture.

Read More: https://t.co/xXTK35zycj pic.twitter.com/QCmZuJcBeJ

— Ministry of Defense (@Israel_MOD) August 31, 2026

Reuters writes, “Athens plans ​to spend about €28 ​billion by 2036 ⁠to build the Achilles Shield multi-layer anti-ballistic, anti-aircraft and anti-drone system, and to buy up to 40 F-35 fighter jets ​from the U.S. and frigates from France and Italy.”

Israel’s air-defence systems were heavily employed during the 2026 conflict with Iran, including the operational use of David’s Sling interceptors.

Director General of Israel’s Ministry of Defence, Amir Baram, stated that it reflects “Israel’s technological edge and the proven track record of ​our defence systems in the field.”

According to reporting by The Times of Israel, this will be the first time that Israel supplies another country with a complete defence package against a wide range of threats.

Israel’s strong air-defence presence

The deterioration of European security following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, rapidly expanding defence budgets, the proliferation of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones, and constrained US and European missile production have placed Israel in an increasingly strong position in the continent’s air-defence market.

Greece has become the second export customer for the mid-range David’s Sling after Finland. In December 2025, AGN reported that Germany had received its high-end Arrow 3 air defence system from Israel.

David’s Sling is a medium-range air and missile defence system designed to intercept aircraft, cruise missiles, drones and tactical ballistic missiles. In Israeli service, it has largely superseded legacy Patriot batteries, while Arrow 3 provides exo-atmospheric ballistic missile defence comparable to the role performed by the US THAAD system.

Besides Germany and Finland, Romania is purchasing short-range Israeli air defence systems (including SPYDER), Slovakia is purchasing Barak MX, and Cyprus has been linked in media reports to interest in the Barak MX system.

Production bottlenecks and lengthy delivery timelines for Patriot, combined with the still-limited production capacity of Europe’s SAMP/T, have left Israel as one of the few suppliers able to offer a mature, combat-proven and relatively timely layered air-defence capability.

Greek & Israeli mutual Turkish rivalry

The defence deal comes amid shifting regional dynamics and deepening defence ties between Greece and Israel. Both countries have strengthened cooperation in recent years through joint military exercises, defence procurement programmes and shared concerns over security developments in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Israel and Turkey are increasingly competing for influence in post-Assad Syria, while Saudi Arabia and the UAE continue a parallel rivalry for regional influence spanning Yemen, Sudan and Gulf economic leadership.

Indian relations with Turkey have deteriorated as the latter is seen as increasingly siding with Pakistan. India is also deepening its defence cooperation with Israel.

Defence Minister Israel Katz said following the air defence deal, “Israel and Greece share common strategic interests and face shared regional challenges. At a time when actors with hegemonic ambitions are seeking to expand their influence and undermine stability in the region.”