Sources told Kathimerini that Greece is actively considering acquiring Israel’s BARAK air defense system to replace its aging Soviet-era S-300s. This could potentially make the system a cornerstone of the country’s new multilayered air defense network, dubbed the “Achilles Shield. “
The Israeli system is prioritised over the U.S.-made Patriot due to faster delivery times and lower costs. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis highlighted this in Parliament while presenting Greece’s €25 billion ($26.99 billion) 12-year defense strategy.
“Greece already operates American Patriot systems. If we were to purchase new ones, it would take four to five years for delivery—simply because production capacity isn’t available,” Mitsotakis explained. “Israel, as a strategic ally, could supply such capabilities much faster,” he added.
Additionally, the BARAK system is produced by Israel Aerospace Industries, which expanded its presence in Greece by acquiring Greek defense firm Intracom Defence in 2023. This aligns with a key Greek demand in negotiations: ensuring meaningful participation of the domestic defense industry in the program.