Greece on Thursday approved plans to buy the 'Achilles Shield' defensive dome against missiles, drones and aircraft from Israel for 2.8 billion euros, according to a source from the Defense Ministry in Athens told AFP.

The deal is part of a massive defense spending plan worth 4.2 billion euros ($4.8 billion) that also includes C-390 Millennium transport aircraft, Heron unmanned aircraft, Apache helicopter missiles, Victa stealth watercraft, and sonar systems for frigates, according to a ministry document seen by AFP.

A ministry source, who requested anonymity pending an official statement, said the purchase of 'Achilles Shield' was approved during a meeting of the Greek Council of Foreign Affairs and Defense chaired by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

The ministry document stated that Greek defense contractors will contribute 700 million euros to the dome project.

Use of Israeli systems

Israeli air defense systems, including the Iron Dome designed to counter short-range rockets, have been used multiple times to intercept projectiles during the war in the Middle East.

Greece has traditionally invested at least 2 percent of its GDP in defense due to decades of tension with Turkey.

It has sought to strengthen its position in the Eastern Mediterranean region near conflict zones in the Middle East.

It currently allocates more than 3 percent of its GDP to defense.

Under Mitsotakis, it has invested heavily in developing its armed forces, particularly in Belharra frigates and French-made Rafale fighter jets.

Athens approved the purchase of 4 Belharra-class frigates for defense and intervention, after ordering 24 Rafale fighters.

Renewal of defense cooperation with France

During a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron last April, Greece and France renewed a defense cooperation agreement signed in 2021 that allows arms purchase deals.

Macron said before a visit to the 'Kimon', the first Belharra-class frigate delivered to Greece: 'If your sovereignty is threatened, we will stand by you.'

Other purchase deals announced on Thursday include C-390 Millennium aircraft manufactured in Brazil, and Victa watercraft for special forces manufactured in Britain. The ministry document said most Victa vehicles will be built at the shipyards in Skaramangas, Greece.

Athens has also signed an agreement to acquire 20 American-made F-35 fighters.

In 2025, Mitsotakis announced that his country will spend 25 billion euros on defense over the next 12 years.

The conservative prime minister, who is preparing for elections by next spring, described the project as the largest 'radical' restructuring of defense in modern Greek history.