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

Greece has approved over €3 billion for the 'Achilles Shield,' a comprehensive, integrated air and missile defense architecture designed for modern warfare dominated by drones and precision weapons. The program, approved by the Greek Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defence, involves acquiring three complementary Israeli systems: Spyder AiO for short-range threats, Barak MX for intermediate coverage, and David's Sling for long-range missiles. These will be linked by an AI-supported command-and-control system. This marks a shift from purchasing individual platforms to building a unified defensive network. The decision is driven by the need to replace aging Russian-made Tor-M1 and Osa-AK systems, which have become unsustainable due to the war in Ukraine. The Achilles Shield complements a previous €656 million deal for PULS rocket artillery, giving Greece both defensive and long-range strike capabilities. While Athens officially states the program is not directed at any third country, the analysis highlights Turkey's expanding missile and drone capabilities as a key factor accelerating the decision, raising concerns about a regional arms race.