Greece Selects Israeli Defence Systems for Major Multi-Layered Air Defence Program.
Israel-Greece signed Achilles Shield Missile Defence Agreement.
Israel-Greece Achilles Shield Missile Defence Agreement: The landscape of international defence and regional security has shifted significantly following a major agreement between Israel and Greece. Known as the “Achilles Shield” program, this approximately €3 billion government-to-government agreement represents the largest defense export deal in the history of Israel-Greece relations and stands as one of the largest in the history of the State of Israel.
The formal signing ceremony took place at the headquarters of the Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD). The document was officially signed by the Director General of the IMOD, Maj. Gen. (Res.) Amir Baram, alongside his Greek counterpart, Ioannis Bouras.
Under the terms of the arrangement, Israel will construct a comprehensive, multi-layered air defense array for Greece. This entire architecture draws upon Israeli-made systems and incorporates the extensive operational experience that the Israeli defense establishment has accumulated during recent conflicts.
The high-profile ceremony brought together key military and industry leaders. Attendees included the Head of the Directorate of International Defense Cooperation (SIBAT), Brig. Gen. (Res.) Yair Kulas; the Head of the Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D), Brig. Gen. (Res.) Dr. Daniel Gold; the Head of the Israeli Missile Defense Organization within the DDR&D, Moshe Patel; Rafael CEO Yoav Tourgeman; IAI CEO Guy Barlev; and other senior officials.
What the Defense Package Includes
For Greece, this program is recognized as one of the largest defense acquisitions in its modern history. It marks the first time that the IMOD will supply a complete, integrated defense array capable of neutralizing a wide spectrum of threats. These range from ballistic missiles and conventional aerial targets to hostile unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
The comprehensive configuration of the “Achilles Shield” initiative involves several core technological components:
The David’s Sling system, developed by the Israeli Missile Defense Organization within the Ministry’s DDR&D, with Rafael serving as the prime developer.
The BARAK MX system, manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
The SPYDER system, manufactured by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.
MMR multi-mission radars designed for advanced air surveillance, manufactured by ELTA Systems, a subsidiary of IAI.
A brand-new national command and control system engineered to consolidate the full range of air defense capabilities, developed by Rafael.
Alongside the primary framework, an additional supplementary deal valued at €26 million was signed during the meeting. This separate agreement covers the acquisition of Rafael’s Drone Dome systems, intended to defend critical strategic sites against drones and reinforce pre-existing security perimeters.
Strengthening Industrial Cooperation
Beyond the direct hardware acquisition, the program encompasses deeper economic and industrial integration. Through ongoing dialogue via the Hellenic Republic Ministry of National Defence and structured Government-to-Government (G2G) channels, Israel will expand industrial defense cooperation with Greece. This includes a planned transfer of knowledge and technology to local Greek industries.
This project represents a crucial milestone in the broader strategic partnership between Israel and Greece in the Eastern Mediterranean. Choosing Israeli technology as the backbone of its most ambitious air defense modernization program in the past decade highlights the depth of trust established between the two nations.
Officials note that this aligns with a wider strategic reform led by Minister of Defense Israel Katz and Director General Amir Baram. The strategy aims to leverage defense exports as a core mechanism for strengthening the force buildup of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), influencing global foreign policy standing, and bolstering the domestic Israeli defense industry and economy. Since the outbreak of ongoing conflicts, the Ministry and its manufacturing partners have operated under an emergency framework, balancing domestic production for the IDF with continuous supply chains for international partner countries.
IAI’s Arrow Missile System.
The signing of the agreement prompted formal statements from key political and military leaders detailing the scope and significance of the partnership.
Minister of Defense Israel Katz stated: “My visit to Greece a few months ago, as the guest of Greek Defense Minister Dendias, was another expression of the depth of the strategic relationship between Israel and Greece and of our shared determination to keep strengthening it. In that meeting, we agreed to deepen defense cooperation between our two countries. 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, Israel and Greece will continue to deepen their defense and strategic cooperation, and will act with determination to preserve stability and safeguard their security and shared interests.”
The Dome is the integral part of the Greece’s Agenda 2030 reform. The country’s Minister of National Defence, Nikos Dendias, stated: “We are living in times of radical changes. Modern conflicts have already changed the parameters of military defence and deterrence. Technology, ballistic missiles, satellite communications, unmanned aerial systems, cyber-threats, hybrid warfare, and the linking of operational fields have long rendered the existing defence doctrines completely obsolete. With this in mind, we are completely reforming the foundations of the Armed Forces, being absolutely aware of and understanding the dysfunctionalities of the past and our attachments to it. Greece is the first country of the EU that adopts such a model. The rapid change of everything is the necessary term for national survival against revisionism and ever-developing threats”.
Director General of the Israel Ministry of Defense, Maj. Gen. (Res.) Amir Baram, added: “The ‘Achilles Shield’ deal is a strategic milestone in Israel’s defense relationship with Greece, reflecting the deep trust our partners around the world place in Israel’s technological edge and the proven track record of our defense systems in the field. It’s a direct application of the Ministry’s strategy: growing defense exports as a key driver of IDF force buildup, of Israel’s foreign policy influence, and of a stronger national defense industry and economy. Government-to-government deals at this scale are more than diplomatic and economic wins – they drive the expansion of Israel’s production lines, build up stockpiles, and strengthen the country’s munitions independence. We remain committed to deepening our international partnerships and preserving the defense establishment’s qualitative edge.”
Chairman of Rafael, Prof. Yuval Steinitz, said: “The deal under ‘Achilles Shield’ is a strategic milestone in defense relations between Israel and Greece, and in Rafael’s standing as a key partner to friendly nations in building advanced national defense capabilities. Greece is the second European country to acquire the David’s Sling system, the most advanced of its kind in the world. The choice of Rafael systems reflects deep trust in its capabilities, its innovation, and its ability to contribute to the security of countries facing complex security challenges. Beyond the technological aspect, this is a move that strengthens cooperation between the two countries and expresses Rafael’s contribution to the stability, security, and resilience of its partners around the world.”
Chairman of Israel Aerospace Industries, Boaz Levy, remarked: “Given the evolving threats in our region, IAI has spent recent years deepening its activity in Greece, working alongside local partners and deploying some of the most advanced technologies in the world. IAI’s operational air defense systems proved their capabilities in the recent fighting against Iran and its proxies, successfully intercepting a range of threats, chief among them exo-atmospheric ballistic missiles. Amid growing demand for advanced detection and interception capabilities, IAI’s groundbreaking systems stand out, directly contributing to the security of Israeli citizens and their allies. These include IAI’s air defense systems, such as the BARAK MX, and the company’s multi-mission radars, which already protect several countries across Europe. We are proud to take part in the important ‘Achilles Shield’ project, and will continue to be key partners in additional projects in Greece and around the world, as we develop and build the next generation of defense technologies.”
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Israel-Greece signed Achilles Shield Missile Defence Agreement.
Head of SIBAT, Brig. Gen. (Res.) Yair Kulas, noted: “The ‘Achilles Shield’ deal is another milestone in the defense relationship between Israel and Greece. It reflects the deep trust our partners in Greece place in Israeli technology, the defense industry, and the government-to-government cooperation model led by the Israel Ministry of Defense through SIBAT. We will continue working to expand strategic cooperation with Greece and with additional countries, while strengthening Israel’s defense industry and its standing in the world.”
Head of DDR&D, Brig. Gen. (Res.) Dr. Daniel Gold, stated: “The ‘Achilles Shield’ deal is a badge of honor for Israeli technological power and for the joint work of the Ministry of Defense and the defense industries. The ability to field a multi-layered, comprehensive, and modern defense architecture – grounded in proven operational experience and at the forefront of global technology – is what contributed to Greece’s choice of Israel as a key strategic partner. We will continue to develop and lead technological breakthroughs that will secure Israel’s qualitative edge and strengthen its standing in the world.”
CEO of Rafael, Yoav Tourgeman, added: “Rafael is proud to take a central role in building Greece’s multi-layered air defense array and to provide another country in Europe with combat-proven, world-leading air defense solutions. The choice of Rafael systems, including David’s Sling, SPYDER, and our command-and-control systems as part of the national infrastructure, reflects growing trust in Rafael’s air defense capabilities and the unique operational experience accumulated in Israel. Rafael is a global leader in air defense systems that have proven their performance under the most demanding operational conditions. We are committed to continuing to provide our partners with advanced, reliable, and relevant solutions against a wide range of threats, and to continue contributing to strengthening Greece’s security and the security of the entire region.”
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Finally, CEO of Israel Aerospace Industries, Guy Barlev, concluded: “Israel and Greece share common challenges and interests, and cooperation between them is an important pillar in strengthening defense capabilities and safeguarding the security of their citizens. The agreement signed today is a milestone in IAI’s many years of activity in Greece. We’re proud of the trust placed in us by the Greek Ministry of Defence in choosing MMR radar systems and BARAK MX systems as part of the ‘Achilles Shield’ project. BARAK MX is an advanced, combat-proven, multi-layered air defense system that addresses a wide range of aerial threats, including ballistic threats. Greece’s choice of IAI systems builds on the company’s activity across Europe, where it has supplied countries on the continent with advanced air defense solutions, including protection against ballistic missiles. This choice reflects the technological and operational capabilities developed by IAI’s employees for the security of Israel and its allies around the world.”
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