Greece and Israel have sealed on Monday a defense agreement valued at 3 billion euros, an unprecedented figure, through which Athens will incorporate into its territory several Israeli-made air defense systems, integrated into a program dubbed "Achilles Shield".
The pact includes the sale by Israel of various equipment, among them "David's Sling" and "SPYDER", systems used by the Israeli Armed Forces and produced by the technology company Rafael. Likewise, the ground-to-air missile system "Barak", developed by Israel Aerospace Industries, will be supplied, according to details provided by the Israeli Ministry of Defense in an official note.
The project foresees that Greece will integrate these state-of-the-art Israeli systems with those it already operates, in addition to its Patriot batteries and other defensive capabilities. It is estimated that more than a dozen companies from the Greek military industry will participate in the program.
"It is one of the most important security agreements in the history of the country, following the Eastern Mediterranean Alliance that we forged a decade ago with Greece and Cyprus," highlighted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a statement.
Netanyahu believes that it also "demonstrates the tremendous capability of Israel's defense and technology industry." "It expresses Israel's strength, confidence in our defense exports, and the strengthening of regional alliances," he pointed out.
The statement about the pact emphasizes that it is the "largest export agreement in defense matters in the history of relations between Israel and Greece, and one of the largest in the history of the State of Israel" and highlights that it will allow Israel to "supply another country for the first time with a complete defense system against a wide range of threats, including ballistic missiles and drones."
The signing of the contract has taken place at the headquarters of the Israeli Ministry of Defense in Tel Aviv, with the signature of the director general of that department, Amir Baram, and his Greek counterpart, Ioannis Bouras.
"Under this agreement, Israel will build for Greece a comprehensive air defense system, entirely based on Israeli-made systems and on the extensive operational experience that the Israeli defense apparatus has acquired during the war," the text states. In addition, the parties have signed an additional agreement for 26 million euros for the delivery of Rafael's "Drone Dome" systems.
The Ministry has added that Israel "will expand industrial cooperation in defense with Greece, including the transfer of knowledge and technology to the local industry."
"This project marks another milestone in defense cooperation between Israel and Greece, a key strategic partner in the Eastern Mediterranean. Greece's choice of Israeli technology as a fundamental pillar of its most ambitious air defense development program in the last decade reflects the deep trust that exists between both countries," it has stated.
For his part, the Minister of Defense, Israel Katz, has emphasized that his trip to Greece a few months ago "was yet another demonstration of the depth of the strategic relationship between Israel and Greece, and of the firm determination to continue strengthening it."
"At that meeting (with his counterpart, Nikos Dendias), we agreed to strengthen security cooperation between both countries. Israel and Greece share common strategic interests and face common regional challenges. Precisely at a time when elements with hegemonic ambitions seek to expand their influence and destabilize the region, Israel and Greece will continue to deepen their strategic and security cooperation, and will act decisively to preserve stability and strengthen their security and common interests," Katz has clarified.
Criticism from the Greek opposition
The Hellenic Executive that has promoted the agreement with Israel is led by the conservative party New Democracy, with an absolute majority, and also has the support of the historic Panhellenic Socialist Party (PASOK), which has not yet commented on this understanding in defense matters.
In contrast, the main opposition group in terms of seats, the Greek Communist Party (KKE), has warned of the "dangerous decision" of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis's government. "It accelerates preparations for war and deepens our country's and our people's involvement in wars and imperialist plans, with American and NATO objectives for the region," the party has argued.
The KKE denounces the "propaganda" and the message about the "protection of Greek territory" without considering that "Israel is a murderous state," and criticizes the high cost of the contract "at the expense of the rights and needs of our people."
The Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA) has also criticized the "dependence" of the Greek Government on the "genocidal Government of Israel" and has questioned whether the new Greek defensive capabilities will really be under the control of Athens.
Former Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis has also expressed his "shame" for the "despicable" agreement, reached "despite the clear majority of Greeks who reject the genocidal apartheid state."