Greece’s highest national security body is expected on Thursday to approve a €3 billion procurement package of Israeli-made defense systems as part of the planned “Achilles’ Shield” air and missile defense umbrella.
The program includes Rafael’s Spyder All-in-One and David’s Sling systems, as well as the Barak MX system developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), as previously reported.
Well-informed sources told Kathimerini that Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defense (KYSEA) is also expected to approve the acquisition of V-BAT unmanned systems for army surveillance operations, Heron unmanned aerial vehicles for the air force, Victa submarines for special operations units and new C-390 Millennium transport aircraft.
KYSEA approval is the final formal step required before implementation of the largest Greek armaments program in recent years. The initiative aims to protect critical infrastructure on the islands and mainland from a broad range of modern threats, including ballistic missiles, air attacks, autonomous systems and cyber threats.
A few days after the council meeting, representatives of Israel’s SIBAT defense cooperation agency are expected in Athens to sign the contracts prepared by Greece’s General Directorate for Defense Armaments and Investments (GDDIA).
