The Director General of the Ministry of Defense, Maj. Gen. Amir Baram, and the head of the Greek Procurement Directorate, Yannis Boras, signed today (Monday) a huge defense deal worth approximately 3 billion euros (over 10 billion NIS), in which the State of Israel will establish a comprehensive multi-layered air defense system for Greece, based entirely on Israeli-made architecture and systems - and on the extensive operational experience gained by the defense establishment in the war.
The program, known in Greece as the 'Achilles Shield,' is one of the largest security deals in the country's history.
This is the first time that the Ministry of Defense will provide a complete defense system against a wide range of threats - from ballistic missiles and air strikes to hostile unmanned aerial vehicles.
The 'Achilles Shield' deal includes:
In addition, as part of the meeting, an additional complementary deal was signed in the amount of 26 million euros - approximately 92 million NIS - for the sale of Rafael's DRONE DOME systems for protection against drones and drones at strategic sites and to strengthen existing defense.
Additionally, within the framework of the ongoing dialogue and activity of the GTG - government-to-government - that takes place between the Israeli and Greek Ministries of Defense and Security, Israel will increase industrial-security cooperation, including the transfer of knowledge and technology to local Greek industry.
This project marks another milestone in security cooperation between Israel and Greece, a key strategic partner of Israel in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Greece's choice of Israeli technology as the backbone of its most ambitious air buildup program in the past decade reflects the depth of trust built between the countries.
The giant deal with Greece is another expression of the comprehensive reform within the framework of the Defense Ministry's strategy, led by Defense Minister Israel Katz and Defense Ministry Director General Maj. Gen. Amir Baram, to expand defense exports as a central tool for building the IDF's power, influencing foreign policy, and strengthening the defense industry and the economy.
Since the outbreak of the war, the ministry and the defense industries have been operating in an emergency mode, combining production for the IDF with continued supplies to partner countries abroad. The operational successes of Israeli systems on the battlefield continue to strengthen global demand for Israeli defense tech.
Defense Minister Israel Katz on the giant 'Achilles Shield' deal between Israel and Greece: "My visit to Greece a few months ago as a guest of Greek Defense Minister Dendias was another expression of the depth of the strategic relationship between Israel and Greece and our shared determination to continue and strengthen it. At the meeting, we agreed to strengthen security cooperation between the countries.
""Israel and Greece share common strategic interests and face common regional challenges. Precisely at a time when elements with hegemonic ambitions seek to expand their influence and destabilize the region, Israel and Greece will continue to deepen their security and strategic cooperation, and will act resolutely to preserve stability and strengthen their security and common interests.".
According to a report on the i24 channel, the deal comes after about three years of negotiations, during which various countries tried to thwart the move. France led the effort, and President Emmanuel Macron even came to Greece in an attempt to promote the sale of French air defense systems.
An Israeli source involved in the details of the deal said: "In the end, the truth prevailed, systems that had proven themselves in battle, the best goods, and the most precise connection to Greece's needs.".
This deal is also much more than an economic deal. Israel also sees it as a strategic move that will strengthen the alliance with Greece against the backdrop of tensions with Turkey and the struggle for the balance of influence in the Eastern Mediterranean.
