{"id":8735,"date":"2026-09-02T21:14:27","date_gmt":"2026-09-02T21:14:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/defence\/8735\/"},"modified":"2026-09-02T21:14:27","modified_gmt":"2026-09-02T21:14:27","slug":"greeces-new-achilles-shield-will-use-israels-layered-air-defence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/defence\/8735\/","title":{"rendered":"Greece’s new \u2018Achilles Shield\u2019 will use Israel’s layered air defence"},"content":{"rendered":"

Israel<\/a> and Greece<\/a> have signed a $3.5 billion defence deal for the integrated \u2018Achilles Shield\u2019 air defence. Greece will purchase a multi-layered air defence system as part of the Hellenic Republic\u2019s broader military modernisation programme.<\/p>\n

Greece\u2019s purchase of Israel\u2019s \u2018Achilles Shield\u2019<\/p>\n

The deal is the largest ever between the two Eastern Mediterranean countries and one of Greece\u2019s largest ever. Israel is to provide Greece with David\u2019s Sling and SPYDER systems and the BARAK MX system built by Israel\u2019s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries contractors.<\/p>\n

The defence agreement also includes ELTA Systems\u2019 MMR multi-mission radars used for air surveillance. Additionally, there is a smaller supplementary agreement for Greece to acquire Israel\u2019s Rafael Drone Dome systems to provide strategic sites with counter-UAS capabilities.<\/p>\n

An approximately \u20ac3 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.<\/p>\n

Read More: https:\/\/t.co\/xXTK35zycj<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/QCmZuJcBeJ<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Ministry of Defense (@Israel_MOD) August 31, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

Reuters<\/a> writes, \u201cAthens\u00a0plans \u200bto spend about \u20ac28 \u200bbillion<\/a>\u00a0by 2036 \u2060to build the Achilles Shield multi-layer anti-ballistic, anti-aircraft and anti-drone system, and to buy up to 40 F-35 fighter jets \u200bfrom the U.S. and frigates from France and Italy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Israel\u2019s air-defence systems were heavily employed during the 2026 conflict with Iran, including the operational use of David\u2019s Sling interceptors.<\/p>\n

Director General of Israel\u2019s Ministry of Defence, Amir Baram, stated that it reflects \u201cIsrael\u2019s technological edge and the proven track record of \u200bour defence systems in the field.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to reporting by The Times of Israel<\/a>, this will be the first time that Israel supplies another country with a complete defence package against a wide range of threats.<\/p>\n

Israel\u2019s strong air-defence presence<\/p>\n

The deterioration of European security following Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine, rapidly expanding defence budgets, the proliferation of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones, and constrained US and European missile production have placed Israel in an increasingly strong position in the continent\u2019s air-defence market.<\/p>\n

LayerTypical systemsMain threatsLong range \/ ballistic missile defenceArrow 3, Arrow 2Long-, medium- and short-range ballistic missilesMedium rangeDavid\u2019s Sling, Barak MXBallistic missiles, cruise missiles, aircraft, UAVs, large rocketsShort rangeIron Dome, SPYDER, C-DomeRockets, cruise missiles, UAVs, aircraftVery short range\/point defenceIron Beam, Drone Dome, Light BladeRockets, mortars and drones<\/p>\n

Greece has become the second export customer for the mid-range David\u2019s Sling after Finland. In December 2025, AGN reported that Germany had received its high-end Arrow 3 air defence system<\/a> from Israel. <\/p>\n

David\u2019s Sling is a medium-range air and missile defence system designed to intercept aircraft, cruise missiles, drones and tactical ballistic missiles. In Israeli service, it has largely superseded legacy Patriot batteries, while Arrow 3 provides exo-atmospheric ballistic missile defence comparable to the role performed by the US THAAD system.<\/p>\n

Besides Germany and Finland, Romania is purchasing short-range Israeli air defence systems (including SPYDER), Slovakia is purchasing Barak MX, and Cyprus has been linked in media reports to interest in the Barak MX system.<\/p>\n

\"Rafael'sPhoto: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems \/ X @RAFAELdefense<\/p>\n

Production bottlenecks and lengthy delivery timelines for Patriot, combined with the still-limited production capacity of Europe\u2019s SAMP\/T, have left Israel as one of the few suppliers able to offer a mature, combat-proven and relatively timely layered air-defence capability.<\/p>\n

Greek & Israeli mutual Turkish rivalry <\/p>\n

The defence deal comes amid shifting regional dynamics and deepening defence ties between Greece and Israel. Both countries have strengthened cooperation in recent years through joint military exercises, defence procurement programmes and shared concerns over security developments in the Eastern Mediterranean. <\/p>\n

\"IsraelPhoto: IDF<\/p>\n

Israel and Turkey are increasingly competing for influence in post-Assad Syria, while Saudi Arabia and the UAE continue a parallel rivalry for regional influence spanning Yemen, Sudan and Gulf economic leadership.<\/p>\n

Indian relations with Turkey have deteriorated as the latter is seen as increasingly siding with Pakistan. India is also deepening its defence cooperation with Israel.<\/p>\n

Defence Minister Israel Katz said following the air defence deal, \u201cIsrael 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.\u201d<\/p>\n