Greece to seal €3 billion air-defence contract with Israel

Greek officials are preparing to sign four contracts with Israel’s SIBAT and MAFAT directorates in Tel Aviv, committing roughly €3 billion to acquire a layered air-defence suite that spans short, medium and long-range missiles and associated radar. The procurement follows initial approval by Greece’s security council and aligns with the “Achilles Shield” programme, which aims to invest about €28 billion by 2036 in anti-ballistic, anti-aircraft and anti-drone capabilities, alongside purchases of up to 40 F-35 fighters and new frigates from France and Italy.

An additional agreement for an anti-drone system will also be signed. Greece already operates US-made Patriot batteries, Russian S-300 units and various short-range defences, and its heightened defence budget reflects a long-standing dispute with neighbouring Turkey. The two nations also cooperate on joint air-training, annual exercises and cybersecurity initiatives.