Greece’s top national security council is expected to approve a €3 billion package of Israeli-made air- and missile-defence systems, clearing the way for the implementation of the country’s “Achilles’ Shield” programme.
The Government Council for National Security, known as KYSEA, is expected to consider the acquisition of Rafael’s SPYDER All-in-One and David’s Sling systems, along with the Barak MX platform developed by Israel Aerospace Industries.
Approval would complete the final formal stage before Athens begins implementing one of its largest defence modernisation programmes in decades. Israeli officials are then expected to travel to Athens to finalise contracts prepared by Greece’s General Directorate for Defence Armaments and Investments.
Achilles’ Shield is designed to protect military facilities, population centres, energy installations and other critical infrastructure across mainland Greece and its islands.
The network is intended to counter a broad range of threats, including combat aircraft, ballistic and cruise missiles, drones, autonomous weapons and cyberattacks.
Rather than operating as separate missile batteries, the Israeli systems would be connected through a common command network with Greece’s Belharra-class frigates, upgraded F-16 Viper fighters, incoming F-35 stealth aircraft and existing Patriot missile batteries.
The system would allow information collected by radars, ships, aircraft and ground-based sensors to be shared in real time. A threat detected by one platform could therefore be targeted by another, depending on its range and trajectory.
The Barak MX platform is expected to form the backbone of the network. It uses several interceptor variants with reported engagement ranges of between 35 and 150 kilometres.
Greece plans to use Barak MX to replace its ageing Hawk surface-to-air missile systems.
David’s Sling would cover the middle and upper layers of the defence network and is intended to intercept ballistic missiles and other long-range threats. It is expected to assume roles currently performed by Greece’s Soviet-designed S-300 batteries.
At shorter ranges, the mobile SPYDER system would provide protection against aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles. It would replace older OSA-AK and TOR-M1 systems.
The network is also expected to use ELTA EL/M-2084 Multi-Mission Radars. According to the source report, each radar can track up to 1,200 airborne targets at distances of as much as 475 kilometres.
A Greek-built command, control, communications, computers and intelligence hub will coordinate the different layers of Achilles’ Shield.
Greek defence, software and engineering companies are expected to participate in developing and assembling the command system, giving domestic industry a role beyond maintenance and logistical support.
The C4I network will process information from multiple sensors, rank threats and help commanders select the most appropriate interceptor or weapons platform.
KYSEA is also expected to authorise additional military purchases, including V-BAT vertical-takeoff drones for army surveillance, an Israeli Heron unmanned aircraft system, British-built VICTA mini-submarines and Brazilian C-390 Millennium transport aircraft.
A Greek parliamentary committee previously backed the acquisition of three C-390 aircraft, one Heron system, 10 V-BAT drones and 10 VICTA diver-delivery craft.
The wider programme also includes upgrades to four MEKO-200 frigates operated by the Hellenic Navy.
The planned acquisitions reflect Greece’s effort to modernise several military capabilities simultaneously, including air defence, surveillance, transport, naval warfare and special operations.