Israel-Greece air defence deal to be 'scaled up' with UAE as contender, sources say

Israel has signed a defense deal with Greece valued at approximately €3 billion ($3.5 billion), marking a significant step in military cooperation between the two nations. This agreement, finalized on Monday, involves the development of a multi-layered air defense system for Greece, expected to be operational by 2029. The project is referred to in Greece as the “Achilles Shield” and represents the largest defense export deal in Israel's history. The air defense system will include various components designed to enhance Greece's military capabilities, including David's Sling systems from Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, mobile SPYDER systems for countering unmanned aerial vehicles and drones, and the Barak MX system from Israel Aerospace Industries, designed for defense against aircraft and missiles. In addition to the deal with Greece, discussions are underway regarding potential sales of Israel's layered air defense systems to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Sources indicate that Israel plans to “scale up” the export of the air defense system sold to Greece, with the UAE as a desired buyer. Talks between Israel and the UAE, alongside the United States, focus on addressing gaps in the Emirates’ layered defense capabilities. A current US official noted that Israel's layered air defense systems are cheaper and more exportable than those of the US, making the UAE a prime candidate for such systems due to its existing defense cooperation with Israel. The agreement with Greece reflects the growing defense cooperation between Israel and Greece, as Israel views Greece as a strategic partner in the Eastern Mediterranean. The deal is seen as a model for Israel's future defense exports, demonstrating the demand for its defense industry abroad despite the government's diplomatic isolation. The successful completion of this deal and the potential expansion into the UAE market highlight Israel's ambitions in the global defense sector.