Greece Secures Landmark $3.5bn Air Defence Agreement with Israel

Greece has finalized a significant $3.5bn defence agreement with Israel to establish its inaugural integrated multi-layered air defence shield. According to an Israeli defence ministry statement released on Monday, the three-year negotiation culminated in one of the largest deals in Israel's history.

Engineers will construct the aerial defense network by combining three distinct Israeli technologies: the SPYDER system manufactured by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, the BARAK MX system developed by Israel Aerospace Industries, and David’s Sling air defence technology.

This major pact arrives during a period of soaring Israeli weapons exports, which reached record highs exceeding $19bn last year—marking a 30 percent increase from 2024—despite widespread criticism regarding ongoing military actions in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran.

Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias emphasized the changing nature of modern warfare following the signing ceremony. He noted that technology, ballistic missiles, satellite communications, unmanned systems, cyber threats, and hybrid warfare have made older defence doctrines entirely unrealistic.

Al Jazeera reporter John Psaropoulos, broadcasting from Athens, explained that the newly acquired systems are designed to counter diverse aerial dangers. The SPYDER and David’s Sling function as short-to-medium-range options to intercept aircraft, cruise missiles, and large drones, while the BARAK handles similar threats alongside incoming ballistic missiles.

In a related agreement, Greece also secured a $30m contract with Israel for Rafael’s Drone Dome system to protect strategic locations against UAVs and drones.

Greece represents the second European Union member state to purchase the David’s Sling system, following Finland. Psaropoulos noted that this move reflects Greece adapting to the lessons of the war in Ukraine and growing regional tensions, particularly given that Greece allocates nearly 3.5 percent of its gross domestic product to defence due to long-standing disputes with Turkiye.