Media: Greece set to approve €3 billion Israeli air defence system

Greece's top national security body is expected to approve a €3 billion procurement package of Israeli-made defence systems on July 23 as part of the country's planned "Achilles' Shield" air and missile defence initiative, Kathimerini reports, citing sources familiar with the matter.

The sources said the package includes Rafael's Spyder All-in-One and David's Sling air defence systems, along with the Barak MX system developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).

According to them, the Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defence (KYSEA) is also expected to authorise the purchase of V-BAT unmanned systems for army surveillance missions, Heron drones for the air force, Victa submarines for special operations forces, and C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft.

Approval by KYSEA would mark the final formal step before implementation of what is expected to become Greece's largest defence procurement programme in recent years.

The "Achilles' Shield" project is designed to strengthen the country's ability to protect critical infrastructure on both the mainland and its islands from threats including ballistic missiles, air strikes, unmanned systems and cyberattacks.

Representatives of Israel's SIBAT defence cooperation agency are expected to travel to Athens shortly after the council meeting to sign the contracts prepared by Greece's General Directorate for Defence Armaments and Investments (GDDIA).

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov