Greece Signals Intent to Expand Defense Cooperation Across Middle East

On 6 September 2026, Athens witnessed a pivotal moment in Greek defense policy. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, speaking at a press briefing, declared that Greece will broaden its arms and security ties to Arab states throughout the Middle East. The announcement came just days after Athens signed a €3 billion (US$3.4 billion) “Achilles Shield” air‑defence system agreement with Israel on 31 August 2026.

Mitsotakis framed the new direction as a move toward a balanced partnership that spans the entire region, rather than concentrating on a single actor. According to the Voice of Emirates, the Prime Minister viewed the Israel deal as a stepping‑stone for a wider array of military and security projects in the next phase.

The “Achilles Shield” contract, sealed at the Israeli Ministry of Defence in Tel Aviv, will see Israel design and install a multi‑layered air‑defence system for Greece. The deal ranks among Israel’s largest defence exports and, according to Israeli government releases, the biggest ever for Greece. Importantly, the partnership extends industrial cooperation, allowing Greek firms to take part in the design and production of key components.

Greece’s defence industry has grown steadily in recent years. In 2022, the country exported €420 million worth of arms, largely driven by drones, while investing in modernising its military equipment. The Hellenic Armed Forces are overseen by the Ministry of National Defence, headed by Minister Nikos Dendias.

Mitsotakis highlighted Greece’s strategic position in the eastern Mediterranean and its longstanding ties with European allies as a unique asset for regional security. He noted that the country has been working to strengthen relations with several Arab partners, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. In 2021, Greece and Saudi Arabia agreed to expand collaboration in investments, energy, tourism and defence during a meeting in Riyadh.

The Greek government is also pursuing the Energy Triangle project, which would transport oil and gas from Israel and Cyprus to mainland Europe via a pipeline that passes through Greece. The project is seen as a way to diversify European energy supplies and to reinforce Greece’s role as a regional energy hub.

While Mitsotakis stressed a balanced approach, he underscored the importance of the recent Israel partnership. “We do not target building defence ties with a single regional actor,” he said. “Our aim is to establish a balanced partnership with the Middle East as a whole.” The statement reflects Greece’s broader foreign‑policy objective of expanding military relations beyond traditional European cooperation.

Reactions to the announcement have been muted. No official statements have been released by Arab governments or by the Israeli Ministry of Defence regarding future projects beyond the Achilles Shield system. Nevertheless, the Greek government’s intent to broaden defence ties aligns with its ongoing efforts to diversify security partnerships and to increase its presence in the regional defence market.

The move comes at a time when several Middle Eastern states are reassessing their security arrangements. Greece’s proximity to the eastern Mediterranean, its membership in the European Union and NATO, and its established defence industry position it as a potential partner for Arab states seeking alternative suppliers of military technology.

In short, Greece has publicly declared its intention to deepen defence cooperation across the Middle East, following the recent large‑scale agreement with Israel. The government aims to develop a balanced partnership that includes multiple Arab nations, leveraging its defence industry and strategic location. The next steps will likely involve diplomatic outreach to specific Arab states and the identification of joint projects that build on the foundation set by the Achilles Shield deal.