Greece is on the verge of a 3 billion euro air defense agreement with Israel, with the country's top national security b...

Greece is on the verge of a 3 billion euro air defense agreement with Israel, with the country's top national security body expected to approve the deal as early as next week. The package, part of a planned defense umbrella called "Achilles' Shield," includes three Israeli-made systems: Rafael's Spyder All-in-One, David's Sling, and the Barak MX system developed by Israel Aerospace Industries. If the Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defense signs off, Greece's armaments directorate and Israel's SIBAT defense agency will move forward with a government-to-government contract covering the systems along with command, control, and support infrastructure. One of the last major sticking points in negotiations was Greece's requirement that at least 25% of the program involve domestic industry participation. Some Israeli companies were initially reluctant to share technology with Greek partners, and identifying qualified Greek firms for complex manufacturing work took time. A compromise was eventually reached. Under the agreement, Hellenic Aerospace Industry, Intracom Defense, and other private Greek firms are expected to produce components including launcher canisters, wiring, and superstructures. Hellenic Aerospace Industry is set to cooperate with IAI and Rafael to establish a small production line at Tanagra, north of Athens, where subsystems will be assembled. A similar arrangement is planned for Intracom Defense. Greek industry will also contribute to the Achilles' Shield command-and-control center, which is designed to connect weapons systems, radars, and sensors across the country's air defense network. Greek companies are additionally expected to enter the future supply chains of Rafael and IAI for international projects, helping Greece meet the 25% domestic participation target over the life of the program. #Greece #GreeceDefense #HellenicAirForce