Greece has announced a €25 billion defence modernisation plan, centred on the new ‘Achilles Shield’ air defence system.
Defence Minister Nikos Dendias described the initiative as the most significant transformation in the nation’s armed forces, aiming to enhance deterrence capabilities amid regional tensions.
The ‘Achilles Shield’ is a multi-layered air defence system integrating anti-missile, anti-aircraft, and anti-drone technologies. It includes the procurement of high-, medium-, and short-range surface-to-air missile systems, a sophisticated radar network, and underwater surveillance sensors to improve maritime situational awareness.
The broader modernisation plan encompasses the acquisition of 20 F-35 fighter jets from the United States, four new submarines, various drones, and a communications satellite. Additionally, Greece plans to upgrade existing F-16 fighter jets and MEKO 200 frigates, and construct up to six new patrol boats or corvettes domestically.
This defence overhaul is partly driven by longstanding disputes with neighbouring Turkey over maritime boundaries and territorial claims in the Aegean and eastern Mediterranean seas. Despite recent diplomatic efforts, tensions persist, prompting Greece to bolster its military capabilities.
Greece’s commitment to defence spending aligns with NATO objectives, as the country currently allocates about 3% of its GDP to defence—nearly double the EU average.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasised the importance of this investment, stating, “We are now facing a different kind of war than we were used to—at least the kind our armed forces were prepared for.”
The ‘Achilles Shield’ and the associated defence initiatives are set to be implemented over the next 12 years, marking a significant shift in Greece’s military strategy and capabilities.
