Israel and Greece Sign Massive $3.5 Billion Weapons Deal Called 'Achilles Shield'

Israel and Greece have signed a massive weapons deal worth about $3.5 billion, making it the largest defense agreement ever between the two countries. The deal, called "Achilles Shield," was announced on Monday by Israel's Defense Ministry. It will give Greece a multi-layered air defense system using Israeli technology, meaning Greece will be able to defend against threats like ballistic missiles and drones. The signing marks a major moment for both countries as they work to strengthen their military ties.

The Achilles Shield deal includes several advanced Israeli defense systems, such as David's Sling and SPYDER. These systems are designed to shoot down different kinds of threats, from fast-flying missiles to small drones. The agreement also includes a new national command and control system, which helps military leaders manage and coordinate their defenses. On top of all that, a smaller deal worth $30 million was signed for special systems called Drone Domes, which are used to detect and stop enemy drones.

Greece has been working hard to modernize, or update, its military in recent years. One big reason is its long-running disputes with its neighbor Turkey over sea boundaries in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Both Greece and Turkey are members of NATO, the alliance of countries that agree to defend each other, but they still have serious disagreements. By buying new weapons and defense systems, Greece hopes to keep its military strong and up to date.

Israel's defense exports, meaning the weapons and systems it sells to other countries, have been growing quickly. Last year, Israel sold more than $19 billion worth of weapons — a 30% jump compared to the year before. For the first time ever, Israel passed the United Kingdom to become the world's seventh-largest arms exporter, according to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Experts say many countries want to buy Israeli weapons because they have been tested in real battles, so buyers can see that they actually work.

Greece and Israel have done business before. Past deals included a $1.65 billion agreement to build a flight training school in southern Greece, along with plans to sell rocket launchers, antitank missiles, and drones. But none of those deals were as large or as complete as Achilles Shield. Israel says this is the first time it has offered another country such a full package of defense weapons all at once.

Both countries' defense ministers spoke about why the deal matters so much right now. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the two nations share common goals and face similar challenges in their region. Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias said that modern warfare has changed a lot, and old ways of thinking about defense are no longer realistic. He pointed to new threats like cyber attacks, satellite weapons, and unmanned aircraft as reasons why Greece needs to upgrade. Not everyone is happy about the growing friendship between Israel and Greece, though — protesters in Greece have taken to the streets to oppose the closer relationship with Israel.