Greece to buy $3.5B Israeli missile systems for Achilles’ Shield air defense program.

Greece is preparing a $3.5 billion overhaul of its national air-defense network under the new “Achilles’ Shield” program, according to the Greek City Times. The move signals a decisive pivot toward Israeli defense technology and highlights growing strategic cooperation between the two nations.

Greece is advancing plans for a $3.5 billion modernization of its air-defense network, a sweeping initiative known as “Achilles’ Shield,” the Greek City Times reported on November 11, 2025. The program aims to replace a patchwork of older Russian and U.S.-made systems with an integrated, multi-layered network sourced primarily from Israeli defense contractors. Officials describe the effort as the most significant overhaul of Greece’s air-defense posture in decades, reflecting both technological ambitions and a changing regional threat landscape.
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Israeli SPYDER air defense system by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, currently under negotiation to replace Greece’s Russian-made TOR-M1 units as part of the proposed Achilles’ Shield modernization program. (Picture source: Metsovitis)

The Achilles’ Shield program was unveiled by the Greek Ministry of Defense earlier in 2025 with an initial funding package of approximately €2.8 billion (US$3.0 billion), forming part of a broader 12-year defense modernization strategy valued at up to €28 billion through 2036. The centerpiece of the current $3.5 billion planning phase is the urgent replacement of aging short-, medium-, and long-range surface-to-air missile systems.

Under the proposed framework, Greece will acquire the Israeli SPYDER (Surface-to-air PYthon and DERby) system, developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries, to succeed its outdated Russian OSA-AK and TOR-M1 short-range air defense units. The SPYDER system is known for its rapid reaction time, autonomous engagement capabilities, and mobility, offering a significant upgrade for countering low-flying threats, including UAVs, cruise missiles, and aircraft, in dense airspace.

For the medium-range layer, the Israeli Barak MX system is expected to replace Greece’s legacy U.S.-supplied MIM-23 Hawk batteries. The Barak MX is a modular, software-defined air defense system that integrates multiple interceptors into a unified launcher, offering scalable protection against a broad range of threats, including precision-guided munitions, manned aircraft, and ballistic missiles. The system’s architecture enables simultaneous tracking and engagement of multiple targets across multiple operational domains.

At the upper tier of Greece’s new missile defense network, the Israeli SkyCeptor interceptor—a variant of the Stunner missile used in the David’s Sling system—is reportedly slated to replace the long-range Russian-made S-300 PMU-1 systems. The SkyCeptor, co-developed by Rafael and Raytheon, is designed to intercept advanced threats, such as tactical ballistic missiles, and is integrated into a larger missile defense shield architecture. Its selection marks a clear step toward NATO-standardization and greater interoperability with allied systems.

Greece’s decision to transition from Russian-origin air defense platforms to Israeli technology reflects both operational necessity and geopolitical recalibration. Russian systems such as the S-300 and TOR-M1, originally acquired in the late 1990s and early 2000s, are increasingly difficult to maintain amid tightening EU and NATO policy restrictions on Russian military equipment. Operationally, these systems are no longer capable of countering the evolving spectrum of aerial threats, particularly amid rapid drone proliferation and the growing use of precision-strike assets in the region.

The Israeli systems being considered not only offer enhanced performance but are also combat-proven, having been deployed extensively in Israeli integrated air-defense operations. Their selection aligns with Greece’s strategic imperative to deploy a highly responsive, networked, and mobile air-defense posture that can function in contested environments and support integrated NATO operations.

From a procurement perspective, Greece has favored Israeli systems over U.S. or European alternatives in part due to shorter delivery timelines, lower lifecycle costs, and expanded local industrial participation. Israel Aerospace Industries' 2023 acquisition of the Greek defense firm Intracom Defense has further opened the door for enhanced domestic content, including system assembly, maintenance, and future upgrades under the Achilles’ Shield umbrella.

The full scope of the Greek-Israeli air-defense agreement, including contract signatures, delivery schedules, and integration timelines, has yet to be publicly disclosed. However, multiple Greek media outlets and defense industry sources confirm that the first wave of systems is targeted for deployment starting in 2026, with full operational capability expected before the end of 2028. The transition is being managed to minimize capability gaps, with interim operational measures planned to cover critical infrastructure and high-value defense zones.

If confirmed at the projected $3.5 billion value, this air-defense transformation would represent the most significant Greek missile procurement since the original S-300 acquisition, and a defining component of the Hellenic Armed Forces’ strategic posture for the coming decade. Beyond immediate defense gains, the program will also consolidate Greece’s long-term defense-industrial alignment with Israeli and NATO systems, deepening Athens’ integration into Western defense supply chains and enhancing its deterrence profile amid rising regional tensions.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.