Why has Greece signed a $3.5bn missile deal with Israel?

Key Points:

• Greece and Israel have signed a $3.5 billion deal to deliver a multi-layered air defence system called Achilles Shield, marking the largest defence agreement between the two nations amid rising tensions with Turkiye.
• The Achilles Shield includes three core systems—David’s Sling, Spyder, and Barak MX—designed to intercept a wide range of aerial threats, and will be complemented by multi-mission radars and an AI-enabled command centre.
• Greece’s defence upgrade is driven by concerns over regional threats, including potential Iranian attacks linked to US-Israel conflicts, and aims to modernize its military by 2030 with additional purchases of F-35 jets and frigates.
• The deal is likely to exacerbate tensions with Turkiye, which opposes Greece’s growing military ties with Israel and Cyprus, viewing them as proxies of US and Israeli influence in disputed maritime areas.
• Within Greece, there is significant public and political opposition to closer ties with Israel due to its actions in Gaza, with critics warning that the alliance could undermine regional peace and Greece’s autonomy.