Greece's parliament approved a $758 million purchase of 36 PULS (Precise and Universal Launching System) from Elbit, Greek newspaper Kathimerini reported on Thursday.
The Greek Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee approved the purchase in a closed-door session after a year of deliberation, including several delays due to the Gaza war, the Greek newspaper and Globes Israel reported in September.
This purchase appears to be the first step in a partnership that would include a $3 billion investment in creating a “multi-layered air and missile defense dome over Greece,” the Greek City Times reported.
It also serves as part of the $28 billion military modernization program that Greece started, which aims to rebuild the Greek armed forces, which were deeply hit by the 2009-2018 financial crisis.
Greece needs to keep up with Turkey, at all costs
The move also comes as Turkey seeks to further strengthen its military and gain influence in the region. Both countries are part of NATO but maintain a tense relationship, with Greece keen to strengthen its defence of its Aegean Sea Islands.
The main conflicts are centered around maritime borders, energy resources in the Eastern Mediterranean, airspace violations, and the status of Cyprus, which has been divided into North (Turkish) and South (Greek) ever since Turkey invaded it in 1974. The new PULS systems are seen in Athens as a key deterrent in this decades-old rivalry.
Turkey’s latest military development was announced back in November, with the signing of $6.5 billion worth of contracts to reinforce and develop Turkey's integrated, multi-layered 'Steel Dome' air defense system.
Turkey, which in recent years has reduced dependence on external suppliers, first announced plans to build its Steel Dome - similar to Israel's Iron Dome system - in July 2024.
The project comprises 47 components, including radars, missiles, electro-optical sensors, command and control centers, and air defense elements with different ranges, the Turkish Defence Industries Presidency (SSB) said.
Reuters contributed to this report.