Israel and Greece sign $1.65 bn record defence deal

General Director of GDDIA, Lieutenant General Theodoros Lagios (HAF) (L) and the Director of the International Defense Cooperation Directorate (SIBAT), Brigadier General (Res) Yair Kulas (R) sign a Defence Transnational Agreement between Greece and the State of Israel for the establishment of an International Flight Training Centre. Photo: AAP via EPA

19 April 2021 2:27pm

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Israel and Greece have signed a record-breaking defence procurement deal, their largest yet, at $1.65 billion.

Israel’s Defence Ministry said on Sunday the contract, set to run for 22 years, is for the establishment and operation of a training centre for the Hellenic Air Force by Israeli defence contractor Elbit Systems.

The training centre will replicate Israel’s own flight academy, and will be equipped with 10 M-346 training aircraft produced by Italy’s Leonardo.

Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz said the programme “will upgrade the capabilities and strengthen the economies of israel and Greece”, adding that the partnership between the two countries “will deepen on the defence, economic and political levels”.

On Sunday, Israeli and Greek air forces launched a joint exercise, however the Hellenic National Defence Command said the S-300 had not been activated as yet.