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Greece and Israel sign €3 billion Achilles Shield air defense deal
Greece and Israel have signed a defense agreement valued at approximately 3 billion euros ($3.5 billion) to develop the Achilles Shield, a multi-layered air defense system designed to protect Greek airspace from ballistic missiles, conventional aerial threats, and drones.
The system will integrate Israeli technologies, including David’s Sling, Barak MX, and Spyder interceptors, alongside new multi-mission radars. The program aims to create a comprehensive national architecture for detection, command, and interception, integrating with Greece's existing Rafale, F-16, and upcoming F-35 fleets.
A significant point of contention has emerged regarding the system's command and control capabilities. While Greek officials previously emphasized the importance of accessing the source code, Moshe Patel, head of Israel's Missile Defense Organization, stated that the source code for the command and control system was not included in the licensing agreement. Subsequent clarifications from the Israeli Ministry of Defense indicated that the deal includes the transfer of technology and the joint use of software and technology with the Greek Armed Forces.
The agreement also mandates at least 25% participation from the Greek defense industry, with 19 Greek companies already involved in the process. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis noted that Greece is one of five NATO members spending at least 3.5% of its GDP on defense, driven by regional tensions. Additionally, Greece is seeking to deepen its strategic defense and energy ties with other Middle Eastern nations, including Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
Entities
Achilles Shield · Benjamin Netanyahu · Cyprus · Greece · Israel · Kyriakos Mitsotakis · Moshe Patel · Turkey
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The defense cooperation between Greece, Israel, and Cyprus is driven by shared security concerns regarding Turkey. jajce-online.com · www.klix.ba · cyprus-mail.com
- [● 14 SOURCES] The Achilles Shield program will provide a multi-layered air defense system for Greece. www.europesays.com · athina984.gr · cyprus-mail.com · www.newarab.com · jajce-online.com · +8 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis intends to deepen defense and arms cooperation with Arab nations in the Middle East. www.europesays.com · news.az · www.newarab.com · www.moreto.net
- [● 3 SOURCES] Greece is scheduled to take delivery of its first 20 F-35 aircraft in late 2028. www.europesays.com · www.newarab.com · www.moreto.net
- [● 6 SOURCES] The agreement includes a requirement for Greek defense industry participation of at least 25%. athina984.gr · lawandorder.gr · www.lesvosnews.net · www.sofokleousin.gr · www.thepressroom.gr
- [● 6 SOURCES] The deal involves the transfer of technology, software, and source code to the Greek Armed Forces. athina984.gr · lawandorder.gr · www.lesvosnews.net · www.sofokleousin.gr · www.thepressroom.gr
- [● 9 SOURCES] The defense program, known as Achilles Shield, will provide a multi-layered air defense system for Greece. athina984.gr · cyprus-mail.com · www.defensa.com · lawandorder.gr · www.lesvosnews.net · +3 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] Greece is one of five NATO countries spending at least 3.5 percent of its GDP on core defense. www.europesays.com · www.newarab.com
- [DISPUTED] Moshe Patel stated that the source code for the command and control system was not part of the licensing agreement. www.olympia.gr · thefaq.gr · www.efsyn.gr · www.naftemporiki.gr · www.businessdaily.gr · +2 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] The Achilles Shield system will include David’s Sling, Barak MX, and Spyder systems. www.defensa.com · www.sofokleousin.gr · www.thepressroom.gr · lawandorder.gr · www.lesvosnews.net · +1 more
- [● 9 SOURCES] The agreement involves the transfer of technology, software, and joint use of technology with the Greek Armed Forces. lawandorder.gr · www.lesvosnews.net · athina984.gr · www.sofokleousin.gr · www.thepressroom.gr · +2 more