Greece and Israel finalize $3.5 billion air defense agreement
Greece has signed a $3.5 billion defense deal with Israel to establish a multi-layered air defense network. The agreement includes the integration of several Israeli defense systems, enhancing both countries' military capabilities.
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On September 2, 2026, Greece and Israel signed a $3.5 billion defense deal to establish the Achilles Shield, an integrated defense network featuring systems like David’s Sling and Drone Dome. This agreement marks the largest defense deal between the two nations and comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions, particularly related to Iranian threats, which have motivated Greece to strengthen its military capabilities. This partnership is also part of Israel's broader "periphery doctrine," which aims to cultivate alliances with non-Arab states like Greece to counter regional threats, particularly from Turkiye, whose relations with Israel have deteriorated significantly in recent years.
Greece and Israel have signed a $3.5 billion weapons agreement, marking one of the largest military deals in Israel's history, which includes a multilayered air defense system for Greece. This deal arises amid heightened tensions between Greece and Turkiye over longstanding territorial disputes, as well as deteriorating relations between Israel and Turkiye. The agreement is expected to strengthen the alliance between Israel and Greece, prompting discussions about its implications for the region.
Greece has secured a $3.5 billion arms deal with Israel, marking the largest defense agreement between the two nations, as tensions with Turkey escalate. The deal includes a sophisticated air defense system called the Achilles Shield, which consists of three key systems designed to intercept various aerial threats and is set to achieve full operational readiness in 35 months. Furthermore, Greece plans to spend around 28 billion euros ($32 billion) by 2036 for military modernization, including up to 40 F-35 fighter jets from the U.S. and frigates from France and Italy.
Greece has signed a $3.5 billion defense deal with Israel for a "multi-layered" air defense network, integrating three Israeli systems including the SPYDER and David's Sling. This agreement follows a surge in Israeli weapons exports, which reached a record $19 billion in 2025, a 30% increase from 2024. Greece, spending nearly 3.5% of its GDP on defense, is responding to evolving security threats, particularly in light of lessons learned from the war in Ukraine.
Israel and Greece have finalized a €3 billion (approximately $3.48 billion) arms export deal, which includes the creation of a comprehensive air defense system called the "Achilles Shield" that incorporates Israeli-made technologies. This defense arrangement features systems like David's Sling and SPYDER from Rafael, and BARAK MX from Israel Aerospace Industries, amid Greece's broader goal to invest €28 billion by 2036 in military modernization, including fighter jets and warships. The agreement marks the largest defense export deal in the history of Israel-Greece relations and reflects their strong economic and military cooperation amidst regional tensions, particularly concerning Turkey and threats from Iran.