Greece to sign $3.6 billion defence deal with Israel
IAI's BARAK MX is part of the Greek Achilles Shield system, along with Rafael's Spyder and David's Sling air defence systems.
Despite growing scrutiny of Israeli military cooperation, Greece is set to sign a $3.6 billion defence deal with Israel, according to Middle East Eye via Jerusalem Post on August 30th.
Greece is expected to sign the deal, known as “Achilles Shield”, on August 31st, under which Tel Aviv will provide Athens with an air defence system.
“Achilles Shield” refers to a multi-layer anti-ballistic, anti-aircraft and anti-drone system, using Israeli radars and missiles from Rafael and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
The project will become the largest defence export deal in Israel’s history.
On July 23rd, it was reported that Greece purchased the Israeli-made multi-layer air defence system, several types of drones and Embraer’s C-390 military transport aircraft for $4 billion.
Rafael will supply Greece with David’s Sling systems designed to intercept heavy rockets and ballistic missiles, along with mobile SPYDER systems designed to counter unmanned aerial vehicles and drones.
IAI will supply the Barak MX system, which is designed to defend against aircraft and missiles.
Both defence contractors collaborate with Elbit Systems; all three have faced scrutiny over alleged complicity in war crimes amid Israel’s wars on Gaza, Iran and Lebanon.
Greece’s military build-up is linked to its long-standing dispute with Turkey and broader plans to modernise Greece’s armed forces, which is estimated to cost over $31 billion by 2036.
Israel has also expressed concerns about Turkey’s presence in Syria and joint naval drills held with Egypt.
However, Greece is not the only European nation to maintain defence ties with Israel, as nations including Britain, France, Italy, Germany and Serbia have maintained military cooperation with Israel since 2023.
Israeli arms exports reached record levels in 2025, with Europe accounting for 36% of total exports; growing European interest in Israeli arms is linked to security concerns with Russia.
Outside of Europe, nations including Morocco, the UAE and Bahrain have normalised relations with Israel under the US-brokered Abraham Accords.
In 2025, Middle Eastern and North African nations accounted for 15% of total Israeli arms exports; the Asia-Pacific region and Latin America accounted for 32% and 2% of exports, respectively.
Ongoing Israeli arms sales have been condemned by Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territory, and Human Rights Watch.
There is growing bipartisan support in the US for halting military aid to Israel; the US is Israel’s largest arms supplier, accounting for 53% of Israel’s total conventional arms since 2023, while Germany covers the remaining 47%.
Middle East Eye via Jerusalem Post, Maghrebi.org
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