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Israel and Greece Sign Major Arms Deal for 'Achilles Shield
Confirmed
In Short: Israel and Greece signed a €3 billion arms export deal to build the 'Achilles Shield,' a multi-layered air defense system, strengthening their defense cooperation.
Israel and Greece signed a €3 billion arms export deal on Monday, enabling Israel to build the 'Achilles Shield,' a comprehensive, multi-layered air defense system for Greece, according to the Israeli Defense Ministry.
The agreement, which has been in negotiation for about three years, will see Israel export several defense systems, including David's Sling, SPYDER, and BARAK MX, manufactured by Rafael and Israel Aerospace Industries.
The 'Achilles Shield' is named after the legendary hero's shield, which consisted of five overlapping layers, reflecting the system's design.
Greece aims to actively participate in the design, production, and development of the defense systems, enhancing domestic expertise, as stated by Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias.
This deal marks the largest defense export in Israel-Greece relations and one of the largest in Israel's history, underscoring the strong economic and diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Background
Israel, officially the State of Israel, is a country in the Southern Levant region of West Asia. It is bordered by Lebanon to the north, Syria to the northeast, Jordan to the east, and Egypt to the southwest.
Greece, officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southeastern Europe. It occupies the southern tip of the Balkan peninsula, with a population of around 10 million.
What's confirmed
- Israel and Greece signed an arms export deal worth around €3 billion (roughly $3.48 billion) on Monday, Israel's Defense Ministry said.
- "Israel will build Greece a comprehensive, multi-layered air defense array, drawing entirely on Israeli-made systems," a ministry statement said.
- The deal was signed on Monday at the ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv by Defense Ministry Director General Amir Baram and his Greek counterpart, Ioannis Bouras.
- The agreement was signed in Tel Aviv between Greece’s Ministry of National Defense and Israeli defense officials.
- “Israel and Greece share common strategic interests and face shared regional challenges,” said Defense Minister Israel Katz, quoted in the statement.
What's still developing
- Israel said one of its largest ever arms export deals would entail setting up an air defense system for Greece.
- The "Achilles Shield" agreement will see Israel export several systems, including David's Sling and SPYDER, manufactured by Rafael; and BARAK MX, manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries, the Times of Israel reported.
- Israel and Greece, who share strong economic and diplomatic ties, have been negotiating the deal for around three years, according to the Jerusalem Post.
- "This is the largest defense export deal in the history of Israel-Greece relations, and one of the largest in the history of the State of Israel," the Israeli Defense Ministry said.
- Representatives of Greece and Israel signed the intergovernmental agreement on Monday for the development of an anti-aircraft, anti-ballistic missile, and counter-drone shield, known as the “Achilles Shield,”…
- According to the Greek defense ministry, the program’s total budget amounts to €3.035 billion ($3.5 billion).
- The aim is for Greece not to remain a passive buyer and user of defense systems but to actively participate in their design, production, and development, strengthening domestic expertise, according to Greek Defense…
- The name Achilles Shield was not chosen by chance, as the shield of the Homeric hero had aslo consisted of “five overlapping layers,” the Greek Defense Minister explained.