Greece launched a 4.2 billion euro arms program on Thursday, July 23, including the acquisition for some three billion euros of an air and anti-missile defense shield from Israel, according to a ministerial source.
This “Achilles shield was approved during a meeting of the government council of Defense and Foreign Affairs with a budget of 3 billion euros purchased from Israel,” indicated this source within the Greek Ministry of Defense.
The program also includes the acquisition of C-390 Millennium transport planes, Heron drones, missiles intended for Apache helicopters but also Victa stealth boats intended for special operations, as well as sonar systems for frigates, according to a ministry document.
The “Achilles Shield” is a multi-layered integrated air and missile defense system based on several interconnected systems intended to protect Greek territory against drones, aircraft, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles.
An overhaul of the army spread over 12 years
Greece devotes 3% of its gross domestic product (GDP) to defense, a target higher than that of 2% set by NATO, citing tensions with its neighbor and historic rival, Turkey, also a member of NATO.
In April 2025, faced with growing challenges for Europe’s security, the conservative government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis launched an overhaul of its army spread over 12 years and presented as the most important in its modern history with a budget of around 25 billion euros.
Since Kyriakos Mitsotakis came to power in 2019, Greece has invested heavily in the modernization of its armed forces, notably through the acquisition of French Belharra frigates and Rafale combat aircraft.
Greece and France renewed in April, during a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron, the defense cooperation agreement signed in 2021. “If your sovereignty is threatened, we will be at your side,” Emmanuel Macron assured. Athens also signed an agreement to acquire 20 F? 35 American made.
