Israel and Greece ink defence deal to protect against regional threats

JTA – Israel and Greece finalised on Monday a $3.5 billion (R56.4 billion) deal providing the Hellenic Republic with a multilayered antimissile system designed to protect the European Union country against aerial attacks from nations such as Iran and Turkey. It is one of the largest defence export deals in the history of the Jewish State. 

The two countries “share common strategic interests and face shared regional challenges”, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a press statement sent out after the deal was signed at Tel Aviv’s Ministry of Defense. 

Called the “Achilles Shield”, the agreement was inked by the general director of the General Directorate for Defense Investments and Armaments of Greece, Major General Ioannis Bouras, and Israel’s Ministry of Defense director-general reserve Major General Amir Baram. 

“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 defence and strategic cooperation, and will act with determination to preserve stability and safeguard their security and shared interests,” Katz said. 

Katz didn’t name Iran or Turkey in his remarks, but it was widely understood that the two countries pose regional concerns for both countries. Turkey and Greece aren’t just neighbours but historic enemies with several current disputes. As Israel’s relationship with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has deteriorated, Jerusalem and Greece have drawn closer in an effort to counterbalance Turkey’s growing power. 

At the same time, Iran launched ballistic missiles at Israel multiple times since 2024. Greece hasn’t been under Iranian fire, but Tehran has threatened to attack European countries. Greece hosts a US naval base and is among the European countries that are closer to Iran. 

The agreement is the “largest defence export deal in the history of Israel-Greece relations, and one of the largest in the history” of the country, Israel’s Defense Ministry said. 

The multilayered system Israel will build for Greece will mark the first time that it provides a country with a system that can combat a wide array of threats from ballistic missiles to drones, the ministry explained. 

Among the systems included in the “Achilles Shield” architecture are David’s Sling, SPYDER, Barak MX and MMR multi-mission radars for air surveillance. 

The two countries on Monday also signed a supplementary deal valued at $30.2 million (R487.1 million) for the sale of the Israeli company Rafael’s Drone Dome systems. 

Chairperson of Israel Aerospace Industries Boaz Levy said during the recent fighting with Iran that Israel’s aerial defence systems had shown they could intercept “a range of threats, chief among them exoatmospheric ballistic missiles”. The same systems that defended Israel could also be used to help allies in Europe, Levy explained. 

“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 defence technologies,” he added.