Greece and Israel Forge Historic Defense Agreement

On Monday, Greece and Israel celebrated a landmark defense agreement valued at $3.5 billion aimed at establishing a comprehensive defense network, known as the Achilles Shield, to safeguard Greek territory. This extensive package encompasses advanced defense systems, including David’s Sling and Spyder interceptors, the Barak air and missile defense systems, and various multimission radars. Additionally, a separate arrangement will introduce Drone Dome systems to shield critical sites from drone threats.

This agreement marks the largest defense partnership ever formed between the two nations, and it stands as one of the most significant export arrangements in Israel’s recent history.

Context Behind the Deal

The timing of this deal is particularly intriguing given Israel’s deteriorating global reputation in recent years. Notably, public sentiment in Greece shows that 65% of its population currently views Israel unfavorably. So, why has Athens opted to fortify its military ties with Israel during such politically fragile times?

One major factor is the looming tension stemming from Iran’s ongoing hostilities. In March, an Iranian drone reportedly struck Cyprus, Greece’s neighbor and ally, intensifying fears about regional security, especially after Israel, with U.S. support, successfully intercepted around 300 Iranian drones and missiles. In response, Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias has called for Athens to establish its own anti-drone systems.

This agreement also highlights the pragmatic need for countries to develop military capabilities against emerging drone threats. Other Middle Eastern nations, such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, are already acquiring similar anti-drone technologies from Ukraine, which is gaining traction for offering battle-tested solutions.

Strategic Motivations

Israel has long been adept at using its defense industry as a diplomatic tool to strengthen bilateral relationships, giving it a competitive advantage despite its current political challenges. A second driving factor in the Achilles Shield deal is fundamental to Israeli strategy: the “periphery doctrine.” This approach encourages Israel to build alliances with non-Arab nations surrounding the Levant to mitigate hostility from neighboring states. In this case, both Greece and Israel recognize a shared threat from Turkey.

Interestingly, Turkey, once a close partner for Israel in the early days of this doctrine, has seen relations sour since the late 2000s. Following Israel’s military offensive in Gaza, tensions escalated, leading to the unraveling of bilateral ties, significant trade declines, and the suspension of direct flights between the two countries. During this period, notable figures and events underscored the growing rivalry between Israel and Turkey.

In stark contrast, Greece has quickly seized the opportunity to establish closer ties with Israel. Following the dissolution of its relationship with Turkey, Israel, Cyprus, and Greece entered into a “Joint Action Plan” in late 2025, focusing on enhanced military collaboration.

Energy and Economic Factors

The discovery of major gas reserves in the eastern Mediterranean has further solidified this strategic partnership. Israel, Greece, and Cyprus have been cooperating on pipeline projects and ensuring maritime security, highlighting a convergence of interests.

As security ties deepened, tourism saw significant growth as well, with around 744,000 Israelis visiting Greece in 2025, far exceeding the 558,000 Israeli tourists in Turkey back in 2008.

The Regional Landscape

The growing division in the region into competing alliances has also played a role in strengthening the Israel-Greece relationship. In February, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu proposed the formation of a “hexagon alliance” involving Israel, Greece, Cyprus, India, and various Arab and African nations. In contrast, six months later, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan formed the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, suggesting a robust consolidation of the so-called “Islamic coalition.”

This evolving dynamic indicates a significant crisis of confidence in U.S. security assurances that extends beyond Gulf states, predating recent conflicts involving Iran.

Conclusion

The Achilles Shield deal represents a modern incarnation of Israel’s longstanding strategy, one that has gained momentum due to the ongoing conflict with Iran. While public skepticism might complicate Greece-Israel relations, the historical context suggests that Israel and Turkey have maintained ties despite unfavorable public perception. As the geopolitical landscape shifts, the tension between public sentiment and elite-level security cooperation is likely to continue.