Greece and Israel Sign Deal for New Air Defense Shield

After nearly three years of intensive negotiations, Greece and Israel have finalized a defense agreement for the “Achilles Shield,” clearing the way for the implementation of Greece’s new multilayered system for protection against aerial, drone and ballistic threats.

The final contracts were signed in Tel Aviv on August 31, marking the completion of the agreement and paving the way for work on the system to begin.

Final contracts signed in Tel Aviv

The contracts were signed at a special ceremony by Greece’s General Directorate for Defense Investments and Armaments, headed by Major General Ioannis BOURAS

On the Israeli side, the agreements were co-signed by SIBAT, Israel’s Directorate of International Defense Cooperation, and MAFAT, the Israeli body responsible for defense technology research and development.

With the signing process complete, Israel will immediately proceed with orders to Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Rafael and ELTA Systems, the companies responsible for the program’s different components.

All three manufacturers have already established partnerships with Greek companies, while the next steps for the immediate start of work have been set in motion.

Full deployment planned within 35 months

According to the plan outlined by Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias, the Achilles Shield is expected to achieve full operational deployment within 35 months.

The new technological capabilities will be integrated into Greece’s armed forces gradually. Deliveries will take place in phases, with the different layers of the air defense system progressively becoming operational.

The system is designed as a multilayered defensive “shield” combining capabilities against aircraft, drones and ballistic threats.

Dendias calls agreement a historic milestone

In a statement to To Vima, Dendias emphasized the significance of the agreement for Greece’s future defense and deterrence capabilities.

“The implementation of the ‘Achilles Shield’ constitutes a decisive step toward the structural modernization of the Armed Forces,” Dendias said. “We are creating an uninterrupted protective shield over the national territory, strengthening our strategic autonomy and safeguarding the security of our homeland against modern asymmetric threats.”

The signing marks the final stage of nearly three years of negotiations between Greece and Israel and launches the process of building and progressively deploying the new defense system.

Source: tovima.com