Greece Approves €4.3 Billion Military Modernization and Air Shield

The Government Council for National Security (KYSEA) approved a military modernization program valued at approximately €4.3 billion to upgrade national defense infrastructure. The centerpiece of the initiative is the Achilles Shield, a €3.5 billion integrated air and missile defense system utilizing radars and missiles from Israeli firms Rafael and Israel Aerospace Industries. Designed to counter cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and drone swarms, the system is expected to be fully operational within 35 months.

To foster technological sovereignty, the program mandates that Greek industry participate in at least 25% of the project, with domestic firms contributing €700 million to produce launchers, munitions, and command-and-control subsystems. This effort marks a shift toward domestic missile production and a multi-layered approach to security.

Beyond the air shield, the procurement package includes Embraer C-390 transport aircraft, armed Heron UAVs, British-built VICTA underwater vehicles, V-BAT vertical take-off and landing systems from Shield AI, and surveillance microsatellites. These acquisitions are part of a broader €28 billion modernization plan extending to 2036, which includes F-35 fighter jets from the United States and frigates from France and Italy. Greece currently spends nearly 3.5% of its GDP on defense, largely due to long-standing disputes with Turkey.