According to Kathimerini, Greece is actively considering the Israeli-made BARAK (Lightning) air defence system as a replacement for its ageing Soviet-era S-300s. The BARAK system is set to become a key component of Greece’s new multilayered air defence strategy, known as Achilles Shield.
Greece remains the highest per capita defence spender within NATO and has already met its 3 per cent defence spending commitment within the European Union. Greece will spend 25 billion euros through to 2036 in the “most drastic” defence overhaul in its modern history, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Wednesday.
The drive, which includes a new anti-missile, anti-aircraft and anti-drone defensive dome called Achilles’s Shield, is aimed at addressing rapidly changing geopolitical challenges and fraying transatlantic ties, Mitsotakis said.
“Τhe plan involves the most drastic transformation of the armed forces in the country’s modern history,” Mitsotakis told parliament.
The decision to favour the BARAK system over the US-made Patriot missiles is primarily driven by cost-effectiveness and faster delivery. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis highlighted these advantages in Parliament while outlining the country’s €25 billion (AUD $43.99 billion) 12-year defence strategy.
“Greece already possesses American Patriot systems. If we were to purchase new ones, the wait time would be four to five years due to production constraints,” Mitsotakis explained.
The BARAK system is a short-range surface-to-air missile designed for ship-borne point-defence, providing protection against aircraft, anti-ship missiles, and UAVs. In light of on-going Houthi rebel attacks on Greek shipping, its deployment would bolster the security of key maritime routes.
Israel’s advanced surface-to-air missile technology plays a crucial role in safeguarding its offshore gas fields. Given the strong defence cooperation and joint gas exploration efforts between Israel and Greece, the BARAK system appears to be a natural fit for the Southeastern Mediterranean region.
The Israeli-made BARAK air defense system was deployed to the United Arab Emirates in 2022, in what was expected to be a substantial contract for more systems
Mitsotakis also stressed that Israel, as a strategic ally, could supply these capabilities far more swiftly than other providers.
The BARAK system is developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), which reinforced its presence in Greece through its 2023 acquisition of Greek defence firm Intracom Defence. This aligns with Athens’ objective of ensuring significant involvement of Greece’s domestic defence industry in the programme.
