Inside Greece's Record-Breaking $3.5 Billion Air Defence Agreement with Israel

Greece has signed a historic $3.5bn weapons agreement with Israel to acquire a multi-layered air defence system known as the Achilles Shield, marking the largest defence pact ever established between the two nations. Finalised in Tel Aviv, the deal arrives as relations between Athens and its regional rival Turkiye continue to face strain, while also defying broader European hesitancy over deepening ties with Israel amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

The procurement is a cornerstone of Greece's broader initiative to modernise its military capabilities by 2030, with Athens committing approximately 28 billion euros ($32bn) by 2036. This extensive modernisation plan includes acquiring up to 40 F-35 fighter jets from the United States alongside frigates from France and Italy. Developed over three years, the Achilles Shield system is slated for staged delivery and is expected to achieve full operational readiness within 35 months.

According to the Israeli Ministry of Defence, the Achilles Shield package integrates three core defense systems:

• David's Sling: Developed by the Israeli Missile Defense Organization, this advanced system intercepts tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and medium-to-long-range rockets via direct kinetic impact at speeds reaching supersonic levels, covering distances from 40km to 300km.
• Spyder: Manufactured by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, this surface-to-air system targets low-altitude aerial threats such as aircraft, helicopters, drones, and guided munitions.
• Barak MX: Produced by Israel Aerospace Industries, this multi-modal system addresses a diverse array of threats—including cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, fighter jets, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles—across ranges from 35km to 150km using four distinct interceptors.

Additionally, the agreement includes multi-mission air surveillance radars and an artificial intelligence-enabled command centre to unify all technologies. An additional supplementary deal valued at 26 million euros ($30m) will also provide Greece with drone dome systems from Israel.

Security analysts suggest that Greece's urgent push for enhanced defences is driven by anxieties surrounding potential fallout from the US-Israel war on Iran, particularly given Athens' role in hosting American naval bases that could be vulnerable to regional strikes. Security policy analyst Wolfgang Pusztai noted that European nations are increasingly looking toward Israel's David's Sling as a more affordable and readily available alternative to heavily depleted US Patriot systems.

Furthermore, analysts highlight that Greece remains cautious of Turkiye's expanding drone capabilities and longstanding maritime disputes in the Aegean Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean. While Ankara has not yet officially responded to the Achilles Shield purchase, the growing tripartite military cooperation between Greece, Israel, and Cyprus has previously drawn sharp rebukes from Turkish officials and commentators, who view the acquisitions with deep suspicion.

Domestically, the agreement has sparked significant controversy within Greece, reflecting wider European divisions over government relations with Israel. Citing polls showing widespread public disapproval of Israeli leadership, domestic critics and opposition figures—including former Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis—have strongly condemned the deepening strategic alignment, arguing that it risks compromising national sovereignty and regional stability.