Tel Aviv
\nIsrael and Greece \u200csigned a \u20ac3 billion ($3.5 billion) defence deal on Monday under which Israel will build a multi-layered air defence system for Greece as Athens pushes ahead with a broader military modernisation programme.
\nIsrael\u2019s \u200bdefence ministry said it was Israel\u2019s largest-ever defence export deal with Greece \u200band one of the biggest in the country\u2019s history. The agreement confirmed an earlier Reuters report.
\nAmir Baram, director general of Israel\u2019s defence ministry, said \u200bthe so-called Achilles Shield deal reflected \u201cIsrael\u2019s technological edge and the proven track record of \u200bour defence systems in the field.\u201d
\nUnder the deal, Israel will supply Greece with the David\u2019s Sling and SPYDER systems produced by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and the BARAK MX system made \u200bby Israel Aerospace Industries, as well as MMR multi-mission radars for air surveillance, \u200bmanufactured by IAI unit ELTA Systems.
\nDavid\u2019s Sling was used by Israel to intercept Iranian missiles \u200cduring the war with Iran this year. Greece becomes the second customer for the system after Finland.
\nGreece spends nearly 3.5% of its gross domestic product on defence, a higher proportion than many NATO allies due to its long-standing dispute with neighbouring Turkey.
\nAthens plans \u200bto spend about \u20ac28 \u200bbillion by 2036 to build the Achilles Shield multi-layer anti-ballistic, anti-aircraft and anti-drone system, and to buy up to 40 F-35 fighter jets \u200bfrom the U.S. and frigates from France and Italy.
\nUnder Monday\u2019s \u200bdeal, Greece will also receive a new national command-and-control system, developed by Rafael, to integrate the country\u2019s air-defence capabilities.
\nA supplementary \u20ac26 million agreement will see Israel supply Greece with Rafael\u2019s Drone Dome \u200bsystems to protect strategic sites against drones and \u200breinforce existing defences.
\nIsrael will also expand defence-industrial cooperation with Greece, including transfers of technology and expertise to \u200blocal industry.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Tel Aviv Israel and Greece \u200csigned a \u20ac3 billion ($3.5 billion) defence deal on Monday under which Israel will build a multi-layered air defence system for Greece as Athens pushes ahead with a broader military modernisation programme. Israel\u2019s \u200bdefence ministry said it was Israel\u2019s largest-ever defence export deal with Greece \u200band one of the biggest […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-565009","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-world"],"yoast_head":"\n