Greece’s left-wing group MeRA25 or the European Realistic Disobedience Front political alliance rebuked the Greek government for its approval of the "Achilles Shield" missile plan that’s based on Israeli tech and worth billions of dollars.
The group said in a statement issued over the weekend that the defence programme serves no purpose other than further tying the country and its defence policy to Israeli war plans, increasing rather than reducing insecurity and risks.
The Greek daily Ekathimerini reported on July 24 that the Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defense approved the package, with the Israeli air defence system expected to be delivered within 35 months of the contract being signed.
According to the report, Achilles Shield will provide anti-aircraft, anti-ballistic and counter-drone protection. The system will integrate Israel's Spyder (All In One), Barak MX and David's Sling air defence systems, while existing non-kinetic counter-drone systems deployed on islands in the eastern Aegean will also be upgraded.
Under the agreement, 12 Greek companies will participate in the project after negotiations secured more than $795 million in domestic industrial work, equivalent to 25 percent of the programmes’ total value.
Greece, which currently uses US Patriot and old Russian S-300 systems to protect its airspace, plans to spend about $32 billion dollars by 2036 to modernise its armed forces.
This includes buying up to 40 new F-35 fighter jets from the US and frigates from France and Italy.
With strong economic and diplomatic ties, Greece and Israel operate an air training centre on Greek territory, hold joint military annual drills and cooperate on anti-drone systems and cybersecurity.
Last year, Athens bought 36 Israeli-made rocket artillery systems for about $739 million.
Bankrolling Israel’s military industry
“The strategy of political and defence alignment and absolute subordination to the genocidal state of Israel […] is not only morally bankrupt but also reckless and dangerous. It signals Greece’s involvement in military conflicts with which it should have no connection whatsoever,” MeRA25 added in its statement.
Opponents of the procurement argue that buying combat-proven weaponry directly bankrolls acts that have resulted in tens of thousands of Palestinian civilian deaths, widespread starvation, and systemic displacement — labelled a genocide by the UN, genocide scholars and various human rights organisations, amongst others.
The lucrative agreement comes despite growing international pushback against the Israeli arms industry.
Over the past two to three years, Israeli defence firms have faced escalating censure and exhibition bans at major European defence trade shows, notably in France during events such as Eurosatory and Euronaval.
European hosts and legal entities restricted Israeli state pavilions and weapon displays due to mounting international outrage over Israeli genocide in Gaza and war in Lebanon.
Critics point out the irony of Athens deepening financial commitments to Israeli defence contractors at a time when European peers have sought distance from them.
Beyond geopolitical objections, domestic critics like MeRA25 have brought the debate back to Greece's severe internal social issues and public spending constraints.
“At a time when resources for social policy are virtually non-existent, public healthcare and education are being deliberately abandoned in favour of private interests, while housing costs and the cost-of-living crisis are putting increasing pressure on society, the majority of which is struggling to make ends meet, the government has chosen to spend […] on the international military-industrial complex…”
MeRA25 is a left-wing political party, founded in Greece in 2018 by former Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis. It serves as an electoral wing of the pan-European movement DiEM25 and focuses on anti-austerity, green politics, and democratic reforms in Europe.
