Greece Builds Integrated Achilles Shield Air and Missile Defense System with Israeli Systems

Greece has approved over €3 billion for the Achilles Shield, an integrated air- and missile-defense architecture designed for modern warfare dominated by drones, precision weapons, and saturation attacks. The Greek Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defence approved armament programs totaling €4.2 billion, with the majority allocated to the Achilles Shield. Athens plans to acquire three complementary Israeli systems: Spyder AiO for short-range threats, Barak MX for intermediate coverage, and David's Sling for longer-range missiles. The entire structure will be connected through a new AI-supported command-and-control system and modern radars. This move replaces aging Russian-made Tor-M1 and Osa-AK systems, which have become difficult to maintain due to the war in Ukraine. The program complements the earlier €656 million PULS rocket artillery system contract, giving Greece both defensive and long-range strike capabilities. The deepening military cooperation with Israel includes joint exercises, pilot training, and discussions on a rapid-reaction unit for critical infrastructure. While Greece officially states the program is not directed against any third country, the development is clearly influenced by Turkey's expanding missile, drone, and defense-industrial capabilities, raising concerns about a regional arms race.