Greece and Israel Set to Sign $3.4 Billion ‘Achilles Shield’ Air Defence Deal

Greece and Israel are set to advance a major defence cooperation agreement with the signing of contracts for the development of the “Achilles Shield”, a multi-layered air defence and missile protection system.

The programme, valued at around $3.4 billion, is designed to strengthen Greece’s ability to defend its airspace against a range of threats, including aircraft, ballistic missiles and drones.

The Greek government had approved the procurement programme through its Council for Foreign Affairs and Defence (KYSEA) in July. Reuters reported that the broader programme is valued at up to €3.5 billion, or approximately $4 billion, with the system expected to become fully operational within 35 months.

What Is the Achilles Shield?

The Achilles Shield is planned as a multi-layered defence network combining different air and missile defence capabilities.

The system is expected to integrate Greece’s existing military assets with Israeli-developed technologies. Greece currently operates US-made Patriot systems and Russian-origin S-300 systems, while the new architecture will incorporate Israeli radars and missile systems.

Israeli defence companies Rafael and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) are expected to play a central role in supplying the technology for the new system.

The planned network will also strengthen Greece’s ability to counter the growing threat posed by unmanned aerial vehicles and other low-cost aerial threats.

Greece Expands Defence Modernisation

The Achilles Shield programme forms part of Greece’s wider effort to modernise its armed forces.

Athens plans to spend around €28 billion on defence modernisation through 2036. The programme includes new fighter aircraft, naval assets, unmanned systems and air-defence capabilities.

Greece has also approved acquisitions including C-390 military transport aircraft, V-BAT unmanned aerial vehicles and additional Israeli-made Heron UAVs.

Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias has said Greek companies are expected to produce at least 25% of the Achilles Shield system, creating a domestic industrial component within the programme.

Growing Greece-Israel Defence Cooperation

The proposed agreement reflects the increasingly close defence relationship between Greece and Israel.

The two countries already cooperate in areas including military training, air exercises, anti-drone technology and cybersecurity.

Greece and Israel also operate an air training centre in Greece and have conducted regular joint military exercises.

The new air-defence programme could further deepen that strategic partnership while giving Greece additional capabilities to protect its territory and military infrastructure.

Focus on Missiles and Drones

The Achilles Shield is being developed at a time when European militaries are placing greater emphasis on integrated air and missile defence.

Modern defence systems increasingly need to address multiple threats simultaneously, ranging from conventional aircraft and ballistic missiles to drones and other unmanned platforms.

By combining different sensors, radars and interceptor systems into a layered network, Greece aims to create a more comprehensive shield over its airspace.

The planned system is expected to become operational within roughly 35 months under the current programme timeline.