Greece Approves $3.5 Billion Air Defense Deal with Rafael and Israel Aerospace Industries
Translated & summarized from Calcalist by baba
Greece has approved a 3.5 billion euro deal to purchase Israeli air defense systems including Iron Dome, SPYDER, and Barak MX, enhancing its defense against threats amid tensions with Turkey. The deal includes technology transfer and local production, with deliveries over three years, making Greece the second country after Israel to deploy Iron Dome.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Greece approves a 3.5 billion euro air defense deal with Rafael and IAI.
- Deal includes Iron Dome, SPYDER, Barak MX systems, and Heron drones.
- At least 25% of systems will be produced in Greece via technology transfer.
- The acquisition aims to bolster Greece's defense amid tensions with Turkey.
- Greece previously signed a 650 million euro deal with Elbit Systems in 2023.
- Greece becomes the second country after Israel to deploy Iron Dome.
Greece's Security Council has approved a major procurement plan to acquire Israeli air defense systems worth approximately 3.5 billion euros. The deal includes the purchase of the SPYDER and Iron Dome systems from Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, as well as the Barak MX missile system and associated radar technologies from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). Deliveries of these systems will span nearly three years, with at least 25% of the components to be manufactured in Greece through technology transfer agreements with Rafael and IAI.
This acquisition aims to enhance Greece's air defense capabilities amid ongoing tensions with neighboring Turkey, under a program named "Achilles Shield." The Iron Dome system will protect against high-altitude threats, the Barak MX will address medium-altitude threats, and the SPYDER system will counter low-altitude threats. Additionally, Greece will procure Heron unmanned aerial vehicles from IAI as part of the deal.
Last year, Greece also signed a 650 million euro contract with Elbit Systems for precision rockets and PULS rocket launching systems. With this new agreement, Greece becomes the second country after Israel to deploy the Iron Dome system, following Finland's 2023 purchase of the system from Rafael in a multi-hundred-million-dollar deal.
Mentioned
