Greece has initiated a significant upgrade and enhancement program for its multilayer air defense system.


The aim of the Athens Ministry of Defense is the gradual replacement of the old and now obsolete Soviet/Russian OSA-AK, TOR-M1 and S-300 PMU-1 missile systems, as well as American MiM-23 Hawk systems at the end of their operational life.

The OSA-AK and TOR-M1 are in use with the Greek Army along with seven batteries of MIM-23 Hawk, while other TOR-M1 and S-300 PMU 1 are in service with the Greek Air Force, in four batteries with sixteen launchers and four batteries with thirty-two launchers for 48n6 missiles.

For the OSA-AK, TOR-M1 and S-300, over the years, the shortage of spare parts and the increasing difficulty in keeping them operational and employing them in a NATO environment have been felt.

In this not particularly promising scenario, the Athens Government decided to initiate a program known as ‘Achilles’ Shield’ or ‘_Aspída tou Achilléa_’ aimed at replacing these systems.


The candidates for succession are mainly missile systems developed and produced by the Israeli industry which, over the years, has become a crucial resource for the Greek Armed Forces grappling with the modernization of their obsolete equipment and systems, providing advanced technology systems and equipment.

The Israeli missile systems evaluated

Furthermore, the Israeli industry, in addition to offering competitive prices, guarantees quick delivery times (subject to the country’s war needs) and comprehensive industrial cooperation – all factors appreciated in Greece.

The focus of Greek interest would be the Spyder produced by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems (ADS), a short-to-medium range interceptor missile to replace OSA-AK and TOR-M1; the Barak MX produced by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), a medium-range defense system to replace the Hawk units, with integrated radar and command systems; and the David’s Sling in the SkyCeptor variant, co-produced by Rafael and IAI, a long-range air defense system to replace the S-300, capable of also countering ballistic missile threats.


These systems will be added and integrated with the MIM-104 Patriot systems already available in six batteries with thirty-six launchers.

The economic factor

Of course, for Athens, the economic argument is crucial; the program will be spread over more than a decade and will proceed in stages; first the Thrace region and the easternmost islands will receive the new systems; later, the rest of the continental and insular country will be considered.

For the first phase, the Athens Government is estimated to allocate around 4 billion euros; considering the non-EU origin, the SAFE fund can only be used minimally.

Photo credit @Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and @Israel Aerospace Industries