The agreement between Greece and Israel on the “Achilles Shield,” Greece’s new, multi-layered air defense and anti-missile protection system
The €3 billion bilateral agreement marks the official launch of the country’s most significant defense procurement program in the field of air defense.
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The architecture of the new air defense system is based on four systems utilizing Israeli technology:
David’s Sling: Together with the Patriot systems, it will serve as the “long spear” of Greece’s air defense, with an effective range reaching or even exceeding 150 kilometers.
Barak MX: A versatile system (already in use by Cyprus) with a range of 35 to 150 kilometers, depending on the type of munition automatically selected by the combat computer.
Spyder: In combination with the modernized Hawk missiles, it provides close-in protection and point defense at ranges of up to 50 kilometers.
ELM-2084 Radar: This is an advanced AESA (active electronically scanned array) radar, which will guide the above systems and connect directly to the central surveillance network.
According to Greek Minister of National Defense Nikos Dendias, the timeline for “Achilles’ Shield” calls for the system to be fully operational in 35 months, with deliveries taking place in phases and the individual components of “Tholos” being put into operation one after another.
The contracts were signed at a special event organized on the Greek side by the General Directorate of Defense Equipment and Investments (GDAEE) of the Ministry of National Defense, headed by Lieutenant General Ioannis Bouras, and on the Israeli side by the Directorate of Defense Cooperation (SIBAT) and MAFAT, the Israeli counterpart to ELKAK responsible for research and development of defense technologies.
Source: CNA
