Israel and Greece signed a defense agreement worth 3 billion euros ($3.5 billion) on Monday, under which Israel will build a multi-layered air defense system for Greece, as Athens continues a broader military modernization program, reports Reuters and Politico.
The Ministry of Defense in Israel has stated that this is the largest defense export agreement ever concluded by Israel with Greece and one of the largest in the country’s history.
Amir Baram, general director within the Ministry of Defense of Israel, stated that this agreement – nicknamed “Achilles Shield” – reflects “Israel’s technological advantage and the proven performance of our defense systems on the ground.”
Under the agreement, Israel will provide Greece with the “David’s Sling” and “SPYDER” systems, produced by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, and the “BARAK MX” system, manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), as well as MMR radars dedicated to multiple missions for aerial surveillance, produced by ELTA Systems, a unit of IAI.
The air defense system “David’s Sling” was used by Israel to intercept Iranian missiles during the war with Iran this year. Greece becomes the second customer of the system, after Finland.
Greece, a NATO member since 1952, allocates nearly 3.5% of its gross domestic product (GDP) for defense, a proportion larger than many NATO allies, amid the long-standing dispute with its neighboring country, Turkey.
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