3.5 Billion Dollars "Achilles Shield" Defense Agreement Between Greece and Israel

The strategic partnership between Greece and Israel, which has been shaped in recent years through the energy and security architecture in the Eastern Mediterranean, has reached the highest level in its history.

The Athens administration signed a contract worth approximately 3.5 billion dollars with Tel Aviv for the multi-layered air defense project called "Achilles Shield".

However, it was learned that despite the huge budget paid by Greece, the system would not be able to access the command and control source codes.

Military and strategic ties between Athens and Tel Aviv have rapidly deepened, especially in the last decade, regarding the sharing of energy resources in the Eastern Mediterranean, maritime jurisdictions and regional competition with Turkey.

This line, institutionalized through the triple summit mechanisms including the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus (GCASC); It has evolved into a regional security architecture with joint air exercises, intelligence sharing and defense industry partnerships.

This military cooperation, which has reached its highest stage, was also accompanied by Greece's move to fortify its airspace with Israeli technology.

The Achilles Shield project, considered the largest single-item defense export in Israeli history, aims to protect Greek airspace from a wide spectrum, from UAVs to cruise missiles and ballistic threats.

The structure, which is expected to become operational within 35 months after the contract enters into force, includes technologies from Israeli companies Rafael and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).

According to the Greek newspaper Kathimerini, within the scope of the package, short-range SPYDER systems, Drone Dome air defense mechanism, medium-range Barak MX batteries, ELTA multi-purpose radars and David's Sling, which prevents long-range ballistic threats, will be included in the Greek inventory.

This multi-layered umbrella, which will work with artificial intelligence support, will also work integrated with the existing American-made Patriot batteries in Greece.

Approximately 750 million euros, or 25 percent, of the contract price will be allocated to 19 Greek defense industry companies that will participate in the project as subcontractors.