Economyfirst London Director Klaus Jürgens wrote for AA Analysis about the possible effects of Israel's sale of air defense systems to Greece on regional stability and NATO.
Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias described the giant defense agreement his country signed with Israel earlier this week as "a step that carries Greece into a new reality." The agreement envisages an investment of 3.1 billion euros for the supply of Israeli air defense technologies, especially the medium and long-range "David's Sling". Of course, every state reserves the right to self-defense against possible threats, and preventive strategies play a vital role when considering missile attacks, warplanes or increasing drone threats, but this picture inevitably brings to the mind of observers the following question: What happened that Greece suddenly started to position itself as one of the frontline countries on the hot conflict line?
To briefly remind, the "Achilles Shield" Project was on the table before this agreement was signed on August 31. A resource of 4.2 billion euros was allocated for the entire program, but at this point, the lion's share of this budget is transferred to Israel. This brings us to the crucial question: Why now and why from Israel?
From Israel's perspective, drawing Greece into its orbit is an extremely opportunistic strategic maneuver. At a time when many European and non-European actors are finally speaking out and describing the actions in Palestine as "genocide", supplying air defense systems to a NATO member in the region undoubtedly aims to distract attention from the massacres targeting tens of thousands of innocent civilians.
The agreement serves Israel's "divide and rule" strategy, which aims to polarize global public opinion with the false illusion of moral superiority and play the role of the "good side". However, since October 7, 2023, critical voices have been rising, arguing that Israel's "right to exist" cannot be legitimized as "Palestine has no right to exist."
Moreover, Israel continues to fuel regional instability by unlawfully occupying sovereign neighboring states such as Lebanon. There is a spiral of systematically escalating tensions, and the Achilles Shield Agreement negotiated with Greece is a part of this trend. This new defense partnership, built on the heels of last year's agreement to purchase 36 Israeli rocket artillery systems for $740 million, can be read as the clearest indication of Tel Aviv's intention to sow discord among its NATO allies.
Exporting instability to NATO
Greece is not the only country on Israel's radar. Finland will also start using the "David Sling" missile defense system by 2027. First Finland, now Greece, is there a strategy here? Israel is trying to position itself as a peaceful ally rather than an aggressor by exporting air defense technologies to an increasing number of NATO members.
Israel knows very well that NATO is in search of some kind of identity due to changing geopolitical dynamics, and that the Alliance is undecided about whether it should focus on a value-based structure or its primary goals. This whole picture fits perfectly with this approach, which is based on the export of not only defense technologies but also instability.
What makes the issue even more complicated is that if Washington says "No", the agreement cannot be implemented. Washington, which has a say in the transfer of intellectual property rights to third parties, must also obtain approval for the technologies in question. Therefore, we have three NATO countries that already actively support the sale of Israeli air defense systems.
This situation brings to mind a crucial question: How can Washington allow Israel to transfer technology to other NATO members, even though it knows that it is being tried on charges of genocide at the International Court of Justice?
It would be in their own interest for the remaining NATO countries to avoid following the path opened by Finland and Greece in their defense policies. While the trial at the International Court of Justice is ongoing, it seems quite inappropriate to finance the Israeli regime with defense industry agreements and investments. Undoubtedly, it is an extremely legitimate step for a nation to secure its borders and lands. However, Israel is not the only country in the world that produces air defense systems.
Economic illusions and hidden agendas
First of all, although this agreement looks attractive on paper, it is definitely not a "win-win" situation. With the inclusion of Greek companies in the production process, only a small part of 25 percent of the 3.1 billion euro investment will return to the Greek economy.
Secondly, wouldn't it be more rational for Greece to focus on creating new employment opportunities domestically rather than generating concern over hypothetical threats against itself?
Finally, is there a possibility that Israel maliciously aims to provoke Greek public opinion against Türkiye by exporting technology to Greece? It is clear that Israel is seriously concerned about Türkiye, which is respected around the world and has become an increasingly active and democratic regional actor.
Having legitimate concerns about global peace and stability is one thing, but using Israel's technology exports as a "Trojan Horse" to divide Europe is a completely different matter. The EU, Europe in general and NATO should never allow such a scenario to come true.
