Greece has approved the purchase of an Israeli-built multi-layer air-defence system, "Achilles Shield," worth up to €3.5 billion and expects it to be fully operational within 35 months. The system will use Rafael and IAI radars and missiles, with at least 25% of components manufactured in Greece. The deal is part of a broader €28 billion defence modernisation through 2036 that may include up to 40 F-35 jets and new frigates.
Greece Approves €3.5B "Achilles Shield" Air-Defence Deal With Israel — To Be Operational in 35 Months
FILE PHOTO: A Chinook helicopter flies during a military parade marking Greece's Independence Day, in Athens, Greece, March 25, 2026. REUTERS/Louiza Vradi/File Photo
ATHENS — Greece has approved the purchase of a multi-layer air-defence system from Israel worth up to €3.5 billion (about $4 billion), along with several types of drones and three Embraer C-390 military transport aircraft, Defence Minister Nikos Dendias said on Thursday.
The country's top security body, KYSEA, which granted preliminary approval earlier this year, finalised the procurement contracts on Thursday, Dendias told reporters.
"Achilles Shield": Layered Defence Built Around Israeli Tech
The planned system, dubbed "Achilles Shield," is designed to deliver layered anti-ballistic, anti-aircraft and counter-drone protection. Israeli-made radars and missiles from Rafael and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) will form the core of the capability.
"It will be ready and fully operational within 35 months, starting from today," Dendias said, adding that Greek companies will manufacture at least 25% of the system's components.
Greece currently relies on U.S.-supplied Patriot batteries and older Russian S-300 systems for air-defence coverage. The new acquisition is part of a wider programme to modernise the armed forces, with planned defence spending of roughly €28 billion through 2036.
Additional Procurements
KYSEA also approved a package of other purchases, including three Embraer C-390 transport aircraft, 10 British-built VICTA mini-submarines for special operations, U.S. V-BAT unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and Israeli Heron drones.
FILE PHOTO: Military planes fly above the Acropolis of Athens, as part of a military parade marking the country’s Independence Day, in Athens, Greece, March 25, 2026. REUTERS/Louisa Gouliamaki/File Photo
As part of broader plans, Athens is considering buying up to 40 F-35 fighter jets from the United States and new frigates from France and Italy to further modernise its fleet.
Greece currently allocates nearly 3.5% of its gross domestic product to defence — a higher share than many NATO allies — a posture shaped in part by long-running tensions with neighbouring Turkey. Greece and Israel have deepened security ties in recent years, operating an air training centre on Greek soil, holding joint military drills, and cooperating on anti-drone systems and cybersecurity.
Last year, Athens purchased 36 Israeli-made rocket-artillery systems for about €650 million.
($1 = 0.8749 euros)
(Reporting by Lefteris Papadimas; Editing by Lincoln Feast and Alexander Smith)
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