Greece is moving forward with the acquisition of Israeli air defense systems as part of the country’s Achilles Shield project Defense & Tech by The Jerusalem Post has confirmed.
A Greek parliamentary committee approved the purchase of a €3 billion multi-layer air and drone defense system and the upgrade of 38 F-16 fighter jets, with the total cost estimated at 4 billion euros ($4.6 billion), according to an original report by Reuters.
The program, running from 2025 to 2036, allocates some €28b. ($36 billion) to strengthen Greece’s deterrence capabilities against rival Turkey. Key acquisitions include 20 F-35 fighter jets, advanced drone and cyber systems, and the development of Achilles’ Shield – a multi-layered air, missile, and anti-drone defense network that will see a range of Israeli systems as key players.
It includes a $3.5 billion investment in Israeli-made Spyder for short-range interceptions, Barak MX for medium-range threats and David’s Sling for ballistic missile interceptions. The systems are made by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
The significant purchase will be made through a government-to-government agreement likely to be announced in the coming weeks.
Achilles Shield: Greece secures Israeli air defense tech
D&T has understood that the agreement between Israel and Greece could include a few options or combinations of air defense systems rather than just a stand-alone system to replace aging American and Russian systems.
Added to existing Patriot batteries, these acquisitions will give Greece one of Europe’s most sophisticated air defense networks. On the ground, Athens has approved the purchase of 36 Elbit Systems’ PULS rocket artillery launchers, providing long-range precision strike capability.
"The parliament committee approved the project and also the upgrade of the F-16s," a senior source with direct knowledge of the issue said, referring to a session that took place behind closed doors. The new purchase will also need to be approved by the country’s top decision-making body on foreign affairs and defense matters, the KYSEA.
Greece plans to upgrade an additional 38 F-16 Block 50 jets, dating back to the 1990s, to the modern "Viper" version, at an estimated cost of about €1b. euros, the source added. Greece has a fleet of about 150 F-16s and has already upgraded about 40 of them.
The committee on Monday also gave the green light for the upgrade of four old MEKO 200 frigates and a maintenance agreement for C29J military transport aircraft.
Athens’ modernization is driven in part by tensions with Ankara over maritime boundaries and energy exploration.
Greece’s Defense Minister Nikos Dendias called Achilles’ Shield “a significant core of the new deterrence program,” adding that the programs would bring Greek forces “into a new era.”
Dendias made the comments from London, where he met with his British counterpart, Defense Secretary John Healey and with UK National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell to discuss the situation in the Middle East.
According to local media, the talks focused heavily on the security of Cyprus following the Islamic Republic’s recent drone strikes on Britain’s military bases on the island.
"We exchanged views on the geopolitical situation in the Middle East, Iran, and the broader security threats that now intersect with the Eastern Mediterranean," Dendias was quoted as saying in a statement.
Reuters contributed to this report