Greece has inked a weapons deal with Israel that will see a $3.5bn multi-layered air defence system delivered to Athens in what is the largest defence agreement ever between the two countries. The agreement, signed on Monday in Tel Aviv, comes as Greece’s relations with its neighbour and rival, Turkiye, have grown more sour. It also, however, breaks with a broader European wariness of being seen as too close to Israel, following the genocidal war on Gaza and Israel’s increasingly blatant efforts to annex the occupied West Bank.
Greece and Israel have long shared economic and diplomatic ties. They’ve also regularly conducted joint military exercises. The new purchase is part of Greece’s plans to modernise its military by 2030.
Athens will spend about 28 billion euros ($32bn) by 2036 to build the Israeli defence system, known collectively in Greece as the Achilles Shield, as well as to buy up to 40 F-35 fighter jets from the United States and frigates from France and Italy. Achilles Shield, which was negotiated over three years, will be delivered in stages. It is scheduled to reach full operational readiness within 35 months.
According to a statement by the Israeli Ministry of Defence, the Achilles Shield comprises three core systems: As part of the deal, Israel will also deliver multi-mission radars for air surveillance, as well as an artificial intelligence-enabled command centre incorporating all the technologies. A statement by an Israeli Defence Ministry spokesperson also added that a supplementary deal valued at 26 million euros ($30m) would see Israel sell Greece drone dome systems as well. Analysts say Greece is increasingly concerned about threats posed by the US-Israel war on Iran, especially as Tehran has launched strikes on US allies in the Gulf.
While the US’s Patriot defence system is highly coveted, several European nations have been turning to Israel’s David Sling, which is cheaper and more effective, Pusztai said. The US itself is also running critically low on Patriots. In May, Switzerland was informed that a Patriot’s delivery from the US would be delayed and would be more expensive amid the war on Iran.
Greece is also wary of Turkiye’s increasing drone capabilities, analysts say. Ankara and Athens have long sparred over maritime boundaries, including control over disputed areas in the Aegean Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean. Tensions between Turkiye and Israel are also rising over Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
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