Amid Gaza War, Greece Finalizes $3.6 Billion Defense Deal with Israel

ATHENS/TEL AVIV: Greece is moving to finalize a roughly $3.6 billion deal to purchase three advanced air defense systems from Israel. After nearly three years of negotiations, Athens will integrate Israel’s David’s Sling, Spyder, and Barak MX systems into its planned multi-layered air defense network, dubbed “Achilles Shield.”
Israeli defense firm Rafael is expected to secure the largest share of the contract, supplying the David’s Sling system designed to counter ballistic and heavy missiles, along with mobile Spyder batteries for drones and other aerial threats. Israel Aerospace Industries will provide the Barak MX system. The project also includes a nationwide AI-powered command-and-control network linking sensors and radars. Greek companies are expected to receive subcontracts worth about $820 million, with the full project set for completion in roughly 35 months.
If finalized, the deal would become Israel’s largest-ever defense export, surpassing the $3.5 billion Arrow 3 missile defense sale to Germany in 2023.
The agreement comes as Israel faces mounting global criticism and legal scrutiny over its war in Gaza, where more than 73,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed. Britain has suspended 30 arms export licenses, while Italy, Spain, Canada, and Belgium have taken steps to limit or halt weapons transfers to Israel, and a Dutch court has blocked direct exports of F-35 parts. Despite this, Greece’s advancing deal underscores the depth of its defense priorities and military cooperation with Israel.