Greece to buy $4 billion air defence system from Israel

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July 23, 2026 2:38 AM EDT

FILE PHOTO: A Chinook helicopter flies during a military parade marking Greece's Independence Day, in Athens, Greece, March 25, 2026. REUTERS/Louiza Vradi/File Photo

ATHENS, July 23 (Reuters) - Greece ‌has approved ​the ​purchase of a multi-layer air defence system worth up to €3.5 billion ($4 billion) from Israel, several types of drones ‌and Embraer's C-390 military transport aircraft, its defence minister said ⁠on Thursday.

The country's security council, KYSEA, gave its initial approval earlier this ‌year and approved the procurement ‌contracts on Thursday, Nikos Dendias told journalists.

Greece wants to build a multi-layer anti-ballistic, anti-aircraft and anti-drone system, called "Achilles Shield", with ​Israeli radars and missiles from Rafael and IAI defence companies forming the core of the system.

"It will be ready and ⁠fully operational within 35 months, starting from today," said Nikos Dendias, adding that companies in ​Greece will produce at least 25% of the system.

Greece, which currently uses U.S. Patriot and old Russian S-300 ​systems to protect its airspace, plans ‌to spend about €28 billion by 2036 to modernize its armed forces.

This includes buying up to 40 new ⁠F-35 fighter jets from the U.S. and frigates from France and Italy.

Dendias said that KYSEA had also approved the purchase of three C-390 military transport ⁠aircraft, 10 British-built VICTA mini-submarines for special operations, U.S. V-BAT unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) ​and Heron UAVs from Israel.

Greece spends nearly 3.5% of its gross domestic product on defence, a higher proportion than many fellow NATO countries, due to its ‌long-standing dispute with Turkey.

With strong economic and diplomatic ties, Greece and Israel operate an air training ‌centre on Greek territory, hold joint military annual drills and cooperate ⁠on anti-drone systems and cybersecurity.

Last ‌year, Athens bought 36 ​Israeli-made rocket artillery systems for about €650 million.

($1 = 0.8749 euros)

(Reporting by Lefteris Papadimas; Editing by Lincoln Feast and ‌Alexander Smith)


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