Greece deal anchors Israel in Eastern Mediterranean defense

Israel and Greece signed a €3 billion (approximately $3.5 billion) defense export agreement, dubbed "Achilles Shield," on August 31, deepening their security partnership. This deal, the largest in Israeli-Greek relations, will provide Greece with a multilayered air-defense array, including David's Sling, SPYDER, and Barak MX systems, along with Drone Dome counter-drone systems. The agreement is seen as a strategic response to Greece's concerns regarding Turkey's growing military capabilities, particularly in UAVs and missiles, and broader European security anxieties stemming from the war in Ukraine. Brig. Gen. (res.) Yossi Kuperwasser stated, "It shows the commitment of Israel to Greek security." The deal also includes significant Greek industrial participation, fostering mutual economic and defense benefits and strengthening the emerging Eastern Mediterranean security architecture.