Israel and Greece signed the largest defense agreement in the history of their relationship Monday, putting Israeli missile-defense technology at the center of Greece’s military buildup as tensions with Turkey continue to intensify across the eastern Mediterranean.

The agreement, valued at approximately €3 billion, or roughly $3.5 billion, will give Greece a comprehensive multi-layered air-defense network built around three Israeli systems: Rafael’s David’s Sling and SPYDER systems and Israel Aerospace Industries’ BARAK MX.

The project, known as the “Achilles Shield,” represents one of the largest defense export agreements ever signed by Israel.

Israel’s Ministry of Defense Director General Maj. Gen. (Res.) Amir Baram and his Greek counterpart Ioannis Bouras signed the agreement Monday at Israeli Defense Ministry headquarters.

For Israel, the deal is much bigger than another weapons sale.

It establishes Israeli technology as the backbone of the air defenses of a NATO member and strengthens an emerging strategic relationship among Israel, Greece and Cyprus at a time when all three are increasingly concerned about Turkey’s regional ambitions.

Greece has accelerated its military modernization as tensions with Ankara grow over islands, maritime boundaries and control of the Aegean Sea.

Those tensions were again visible in recent days when Greek F-16 fighter jets were reportedly scrambled after a Turkish drone operated near the Greek islands of Samothraki and Lemnos.

Turkey and Greece are both NATO members, yet their longstanding disputes over territorial waters, airspace and islands have repeatedly pushed the two countries toward confrontation.

Israel’s relationship with Turkey has also deteriorated sharply under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, making Greece increasingly important to Jerusalem both strategically and economically.

The new defense system will give Greece multiple layers of protection against aircraft, drones, cruise missiles and ballistic threats.

David’s Sling provides the longer-range layer. BARAK MX covers medium-range threats, while SPYDER can defend against aircraft, helicopters, drones and missiles at shorter ranges.

Together, the systems are designed to operate as one integrated defensive network.

Delivery is expected within approximately 35 months.

Greek companies will also receive a significant share of the work, with approximately €700 million expected to be carried out by Greece’s domestic defense industry.

That provision is particularly important as European countries increasingly seek not only to purchase weapons but also to develop their own manufacturing capabilities and secure their supply chains.

For Israel’s defense industry, the implications are enormous.

Rafael and Israel Aerospace Industries are already seeing surging global demand as governments across Europe dramatically increase defense spending and seek air-defense systems proven under real combat conditions.

Israel’s systems have gained particular attention because of their repeated operational use against missiles, drones and rockets during recent conflicts.

The Greece agreement follows Israel’s record Arrow 3 sale to Germany and a growing list of major European defense contracts.

It also comes only months after Greece signed a separate approximately $750 million agreement for Elbit Systems’ PULS rocket artillery system.

Together, the agreements are turning Greece into one of Israel’s most important defense customers.

But the larger story may be geopolitical.

Israel increasingly views Greece as a strategic gateway into Europe and as part of a broader network of countries whose security and economic interests overlap with its own.

That relationship could eventually extend beyond the purchase of individual missile-defense systems.

Closer integration among Israel, Greece and Cyprus could allow the countries to share radar information, sensors and command-and-control capabilities, creating a much broader picture of aerial threats across the eastern Mediterranean.

For Greece, the objective is deterrence.

For Israel, it is exports, alliances and strategic depth.

And for Israel’s defense industry, the agreement is another sign that air defense has become one of the country’s most valuable exports.

A technology developed primarily to protect Israel is rapidly becoming part of the defense architecture of Europe.

JBizNews Desk | Israel

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