Greece on Thursday approved the planned acquisition from Israel of the Achilles Shield, a new multi-layered missile, air and drone defense system, as part of a wider modernization of its armed forces.
A Greek defense ministry source told AFP that the program was approved at a meeting of the government’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Council (KYSEA), chaired by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
According to the same source, the acquisition of the Achilles Shield from Israel is estimated at 2.8 billion euros. A ministry document cited by AFP puts the total approved package at 4.2 billion euros, which includes C-390 Millennium transport aircraft, Heron drones, Apache helicopter missiles, Victa special mission boats and sonar systems for frigates, among others.
These decisions are part of a long-term modernization program for the Greek armed forces. Defense Minister Nikos Dendias noted that they represent “a big part of the 2030 Agenda,” adding that planning has not yet been completed.
The Achilles Shield is a central program: it would combine multiple layers of defense against aircraft, missiles and unmanned systems.
Nikos Dendias described it as a “holistic command and control system”, adding that the participation of the Greek defense industry will amount to 700 million euros.
The various tools will be linked through a Greek-owned system that will use artificial intelligence applications to detect and assess threats and select suitable interception tools.
The minister explained that the system will collect data from all available sensors, “including from a telescope installed on military personnel’s helmets.”
“It processes, prioritizes and proposes responses to every threat.“, he said.
What did the Greek government approve?
As announced by the Minister of Defense, KYSEA has approved:
“Achilles Shield” for air defense, anti-missile defense and anti-drone defense.
Non-kinetic combat systems against unmanned aerial vehicles.
Unmanned system HERON 1.
Small SAR satellites using synthetic aperture radar technology that will immediately provide satellite imagery under exclusive national control.
Acquisition of ten additional unmanned V-BAT category II systems.
Night vision devices are the most important element of a fighter’s equipment.
Acquisition of three new C-390 Millennium transport aircraft from Embraer. The first is due to be delivered in 2027 as part of an interstate agreement between Greece and Portugal. These devices can also be used to refuel fighter aircraft in mid-air.
Ten underwater vehicles for special operations. Eight of them will be built in Skaramangas and two in the UK.
Modernization of four MEKO-class frigates with the installation of new generation anti-submarine systems.
Laser-guided HELLFIRE missiles to enhance the offensive capabilities of Apache helicopters.
Master’s programs in the USA with the aim of preparing a group of officers specializing in autonomous systems and artificial intelligence.
Nikos Dendias stressed that “most of the 2030 Agenda” has been endorsed by these decisions, but said that planning has not yet been completed.
He announced that the second phase of the new force structure and the evolution of the long-term weapons program for the period 2027-2037 will be presented in September.
Wider rise of the Greek military
Greece now spends more than 3% of its gross domestic product on defense, exceeding the 2% minimum threshold set by NATO. The country’s military spending remains structurally high amid long-term tensions with Turkey.
The approvals announced today are a continuation of the government’s weapons program in recent years.
Greece has already initiated the acquisition of French Rafale fighter jets and Belharra frigates, and has also signed an agreement to purchase American F-35 fighter jets.
At the same time, defense cooperation between Athens and Paris was further strengthened following the renewal of the 2021 bilateral agreement during President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Greece in April.
Athens also signed an agreement to purchase 20 American F-35 fighter jets.
In 2025, Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced that Greece planned to spend €25 billion on defense over twelve years, calling the program the largest reorganization of national defense in the country’s modern history.
Other topics on the KYSEA agenda
During the meeting, Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis briefed the council on the latest international developments, with a particular focus on Iran and the Middle East in general.
KYSEA also approved the National Critical Enterprise Resilience Strategy for the period 2026-2030.
Minister of Migration and Asylum Thanos Plevris provided an update on the progress of the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, as well as the evolution of migration flows. According to this report, these flows have decreased significantly while the number of returns has increased.