Greece is expected to sign a roughly $3.5 billion (€3 billion) deal with Israel on Monday for a multilayered air defense system, as part of a broader military modernization program, two security sources told Reuters.
The deal, initially approved by Greece’s security council, includes advanced short-, medium- and long-range missile systems. “Greek officials later on Monday will sign four agreements with Israeli SIBAT and MAFAT directorates in Tel Aviv worth about €3 billion for three types of missiles and radar systems,” one of the officials told Reuters.
An approximately €3 billion deal: Israel and Greece have signed the massive “Achilles Shield” agreement, under which Israel will build Greece a multi-layered air defense array based on Israeli systems architecture.
Read More: facebook.com/share/p/1CuJ6C…
Greece plans to spend about €28 billion through 2036 to develop the “Achilles Shield,” a multilayered system designed to defend against ballistic missiles, aircraft and drones. The program also includes plans to purchase up to 40 F-35 fighter jets from the United States and frigates from France and Italy.
A separate agreement for an anti-drone system is also expected to be signed, the source said.
Greece currently uses U.S.-made Patriot systems, Russian S-300 systems and various short-range air defense systems to protect its airspace. It spends nearly 3.5 percent of its GDP on defense, a higher proportion than many NATO allies, largely because of its long-running dispute with neighboring Turkey.
Greece and Israel have close economic and diplomatic ties, including an air training center in Greece, annual joint military exercises and cooperation on anti-drone systems and cybersecurity.
Last year, Athens purchased 36 Israeli-made rocket artillery systems for about €650 million.