Israel Signs €3 Billion Achilles Shield Deal, Its First Export of a Complete Air-Defense Array
Greece is buying Israel's complete layered air-defense architecture, marking the first full-array export in Israel's history.
Greece is buying Israel's complete layered air-defense architecture, marking the first full-array export in Israel's history.
Israel and Greece signed the Achilles Shield agreement Monday at Israel's Defense Ministry complex in Tel Aviv. The roughly €3 billion deal, worth more than NIS 10 billion ($3.5 billion), will give Greece a multilayered national air-defense network, the Israeli ministry said.
Ministry Director General Amir Baram and Ioannis Bouras, head of Greece's General Directorate for Defense Investments and Armaments, signed the government-to-government agreement, Calcalist reported.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Achilles Shield deal?
A roughly €3 billion (over NIS 10 billion) government-to-government agreement signed Aug. 31, 2026 in Tel Aviv, under which Israel builds Greece a multilayered national air-defense network, per Israel's Defense Ministry.
Which systems will Greece receive?
Rafael's David's Sling and mobile SPYDER batteries, IAI's Barak MX, MMR radars from IAI's ELTA division, and a new AI-capable national command-and-control center led by Rafael, per Calcalist. A €26 million supplement adds Rafael's Drone Dome counter-drone systems.
Why is the deal a first for Israel?
Israel's Defense Ministry says it is the first time Israel exports a complete, integrated defense array against ballistic missiles, aircraft and drones rather than a single weapons system.
What does Greek industry get out of it?
Greece values the program at €3.035 billion and says 19 Greek companies already account for more than €750 million of it, with knowledge and technology transfer to local industry, per POLITICO citing Greece's defense ministry.
When will the system be operational?
Delivery is expected within about 35 months, Euractiv reported. The network is meant to connect with Greece's existing Patriot batteries, Belharra frigates, Rafale fighters and F-16 Vipers.
How does Turkey figure into the deal?
The signing came days after Greek F-16s intercepted a Turkish drone between Samothrace and Lemnos on Aug. 28, Euractiv reported, and Ankara has objected to deepening Greek-Israeli military cooperation.
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Rafael Advanced Defense Systems will receive most of the funds. It will supply David's Sling for heavy rockets and ballistic missiles, plus mobile SPYDER batteries for drones and other unmanned aircraft, some deployed on Greek islands, the Jerusalem Post wrote. Israel Aerospace Industries will provide Barak MX and ELTA MMR radars. Rafael will lead development of an AI-capable national command-and-control center modeled on Israel's system. A separate €26 million contract covers Rafael's Drone Dome counter-drone systems, according to the Israeli ministry.
The ministry described Achilles Shield as Israel's first export of a complete, integrated array against ballistic missiles, aircraft and drones. It called the contract the largest defense export deal in Israel-Greece relations and one of Israel's largest. Israel's previous record was IAI's $3.5 billion Arrow 3 sale to Germany in 2023, the Jerusalem Post noted.
Greece values the program at €3.035 billion. Its Defense Ministry says 19 Greek companies already account for more than €750 million, extending a European pattern of buyers demanding domestic production and technology transfer. Greece becomes Europe's second David's Sling customer after Finland. Delivery is expected within 35 months. The Greek ministry says the network will connect with Patriot batteries, Belharra frigates, Rafale fighters and F-16 Vipers.
The deal lands amid renewed Aegean tension. Greek F-16s scrambled on Aug. 28 after a Turkish drone flew between Samothrace and Lemnos, Euractiv reported. Ankara has objected to closer Greek-Israeli military cooperation.
Baram said deals of this scale expand Israeli production lines, inventories and munitions independence while Rafael and IAI carry record backlogs. Israel's defense industry is converting wartime operational experience into architecture-level exports, while European buyers direct part of the spending into local factories. Israeli defense officials expect follow-on Greek orders for more Barak MX systems, Calcalist reported.
Marcus Schuler
Marcus Schuler edits BattlePolicy, a daily defense-technology brief connecting the companies and capabilities behind modern war to the contest among Europe, the US, Russia, and China.