Greece has approved a major defense procurement package worth up to EUR 3.5 billion (approximately $4 billion) to acquire a multi-layered air defense system from Israel, alongside additional purchases of surveillance drones and Embraer C-390 transport aircraft. Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias confirmed the approval following a review by the country’s security council, KYSEA, which had already granted preliminary clearance earlier in the year.
The centerpiece of the deal is a system named Achilles Shield, designed to defend against ballistic missiles, aircraft and drones using radar and missile technology supplied primarily by Israeli firms Rafael and IAI. Dendias stated the system is expected to become fully operational within 35 months, with domestic Greek industry contributing at least a quarter of the overall production.
The Achilles Shield acquisition forms part of a larger Greek rearmament effort, with Athens planning to spend approximately EUR 28 billion by 2036 to modernize its armed forces. That plan includes the purchase of up to 40 additional F-35 fighter jets from the United States, along with new frigates from France and Italy. Currently, Greece relies on American-made Patriot systems and older Russian S-300 batteries for air defense.
Dendias confirmed that KYSEA also approved the purchase of three C-390 military transport aircraft, ten British-built VICTA mini-submarines intended for special operations, U.S.-made V-BAT unmanned aerial vehicles and Heron drones from Israel. Greece spends nearly 3.5% of its gross domestic product on defense, a considerably higher proportion than most fellow NATO members, a level driven in large part by its long-running dispute with Turkey.
Athens and Tel Aviv maintain close defense ties, operating a joint air training center on Greek soil, conducting annual joint military exercises, and cooperating on anti-drone systems and cybersecurity. Last year, Greece purchased 36 Israeli-made rocket artillery systems for approximately EUR 650 million.
The Achilles Shield agreement marks one of Greece’s largest defense procurements in recent years and reflects Athens’ continuing effort to build a layered, multi-domain air defense capability while deepening its long-standing defense partnership with Israel.