Greece to Buy $3 Billion 'Achilles Shield' Missile Defense System From Israel

Greece has approved the purchase of a multi-layer air defense system from Israel, several types of drones and Embraer C-390 military transport aircraft, Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias announced on Thursday, July 23. Athens is spending $3.1 billion on the system, with the total cost estimated to reach as high as $4 billion. The Greek security council, KYSEA, granted initial approval earlier in 2026 and signed off on the procurement contracts on Thursday. The program represents one of the largest defense agreements ever concluded between the two countries.

Greece intends to build a multi-layer anti-ballistic, anti-aircraft and anti-drone system named "Achilles Shield," with Israeli radars and missiles produced by the state-owned firms Rafael and Israel Aerospace Industries forming the core of the architecture. Dendias said the system will be fully operational within thirty-five months and that Greek companies will manufacture at least twenty-five percent of it. KYSEA also approved the purchase of Israeli-made Heron unmanned aerial vehicles, along with three C-390 transport aircraft, ten British-built VICTA mini-submarines for special operations and American V-BAT drones. Multiple countries, including the United States and Ukraine, have sought to emulate Israel's missile defense systems, among them Iron Dome, after their heavy use during Israel's multifront war.

The agreement rests on an already deep partnership. Greece and Israel jointly operate an air training center on Greek territory, hold annual military exercises together and cooperate on anti-drone systems and cybersecurity. In 2025, Athens purchased thirty-six Israeli-made rocket artillery systems for roughly $739 million. Greece has traditionally invested at least two percent of gross domestic product in defense owing to decades of tension with Turkey, and now spends nearly 3.5 percent, a higher proportion than many fellow NATO members. Athens plans to spend about $32 billion by 2036 to modernize its armed forces, including the acquisition of up to forty F-35 fighter jets.

(TOI/VFI News)

"The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." – Psalm 18:2