Israel, Greece sign $3.5 billion air-defense deal: What to know
Against the backdrop of growing tensions with Turkey, Israel signed one of its largest-ever defense industry deals to supply Greece with advanced air defense systems.
Israel's Defense Ministry announced a megadeal Monday worth $3.5 billion with its Greek counterpart to supply Athens with layered aerial defense systems. The deal will include the David’s Sling and SPYDER systems manufactured by Rafael as well as the Barak MX system produced by Israel Aerospace Industries, according to the ministry.
Director General of the Israeli Defense Ministry Amir Baram and the head of the Greek Procurement Agency, Ioannis Bouras, signed the agreement, one of the largest in the history of Israel’s security industry and known in Greece as the Achilles Shield program, in Israel.
Multilayered defense
Athens is seeking to modernize its aging air defenses as drones and missiles have become increasingly prominent in modern warfare, from Ukraine to the recent conflicts involving Israel, Iran and the US. The country is undertaking a roughly $27 billion military modernization program through 2036, including the acquisition of up to 40 F-35 fighter jets and new frigates alongside the deal with Israel.
