Israel, Greece Sign $3.5 Billion Defense Deal for Air Shield

Israel and Greece finalized a $3.5 billion defense deal on Monday, providing Greece with a multilayered antimissile system called "Achilles Shield."

The agreement, signed at Tel Aviv's Ministry of Defense, is one of the largest defense export deals in Israel's history. Maj. Gen. Amir Baram, director-general of Israel's Defense Ministry, and Maj. Gen. Ioannis Bouras of Greece signed the agreement. The deal, valued at approximately 3 billion euros ($3.5 billion), will see Israel build a comprehensive, multi-layered air defense array in Greece, drawing entirely on Israeli-made systems.

These systems include David's Sling and SPYDER, manufactured by Rafael, and BARAK MX, manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries. An additional 26 million euro agreement was signed for the sale of Rafael's Drone Dome air defense systems to Greece. The deal also provides for expanded defense industrial cooperation, including the transfer of knowledge and technology to local industry.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the two countries share common strategic interests and face shared regional challenges. He added that Israel and Greece will continue to deepen their defense and strategic cooperation to preserve stability and safeguard shared interests. This agreement is a direct continuation of the Eastern Mediterranean alliance forged a decade ago with Greece and southern Cyprus.

Greece's former Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis denounced the deal on social media, stating he was deeply ashamed that Greece's ruling class allowed the deal despite a sizeable majority of Greeks opposing the genocidal Apartheid state. His former party, Syriza, also denounced the government, stating the deal deepens Greece's defense/military dependence on the genocidal government of Israel, which violates international law.

A survey released by Pew Research Center in June shows that only 30% of the Greek nation has a positive opinion of Israel after the start of a new round of Palestine-Israel conflict in 2025. Pro-Palestine demonstrations have occurred in Greece since 2025, calling for a cessation of cooperation with Israel.