Greece approves defence procurements, including Achilles Shield
The first of two Embraer KC/C-390 Millennium airlifters for the Czech Republic was showcased at the Farnborough International Airshow 2026. (Janes/Gareth Jennings)
Greece's Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defence (KYSEA), chaired by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, approved 11 defence contracts on 23 July 2026 as part of the country's long-term armament programme, including the Achilles Shield air and missile defence system.
Briefing journalists afterward, Greek Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias said the system would include a missile detection and threat response network with a command and control system and would provide layered air defence against aircraft, missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) covering all of Greece. He valued Achilles Shield at EUR3 billion (over USD3.4 billion), with a 25% share by the Greek defence industry, exceeding EUR700 million.
Dendias said the system would be ready in 35 months, adding, “The logic behind it is not simply a procurement of systems by the state of Israel. It is the logic of manufacturing systems in Greece by Israeli companies, by creating a manufacturing base in Greece, partnerships with Greek companies, and the creation of export possibilities of these products to Europe and to the Middle East.”
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