Israel pledges full Greek control over Achilles’ Shield source code

Israel has said it will transfer technical know-how to Greek companies taking part in the Achilles’ Shield air defence shield project.

The Israeli Ministry of Defence made the statement to Euractiv in response to reports alleging that Israel would retain control over the system.

The ministry stated that Israel will provide Greece with all the necessary technical know-how to enable Athens to develop its own source code for the much-debated Achilles’ Shield air defence system.

Israel noted that under the agreement, the Israeli Ministry of Defence and the Greek Ministry of National Defence agreed on the transfer of Israeli expertise to Greek firms participating in the programme.

A spokesperson for the Israeli Ministry of Defence said:

“The Greek source code developed under the programme, along with any modifications and additions made to it, will remain exclusively under Greek control and will be tailored to Greece’s operational requirements.”

Israel’s stance contradicts media reports suggesting that the system’s source code would belong to Tel Aviv rather than Athens, thereby effectively granting Israel full control over the platform.

Those reports had prompted a strong reaction from the opposition PASOK party, which called for transparency on the matter.

The system will integrate Greece’s existing capabilities, such as Patriot air defence systems and unmanned platforms, with Israeli systems covering various ranges, including Rafael’s SPYDER.

Türkiye reacted to the growing military cooperation between Greece and Israel, claiming that the two countries are attempting to encircle it strategically.

Athens, for its part, stated that its objective is solely to enhance its deterrence.

Meanwhile, former diplomat Vassilis Bornovas argued that the Achilles’ Shield project and Greece’s broader rise in defence spending are directed against “Russian aggression from the north” rather than Türkiye, which is also a NATO member.

Greece and Israel signed an agreement for the 3 billion euro project at the end of August. On the same day, Türkiye announced a mutual defence pact with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, a development received with caution in Athens.

US foreign policy expert Ian Lesser told Euractiv that such regional defence arrangements were “not surprising” following the war in Iran.

“Countries are looking for new ways to diversify their security partnerships,” Lesser said, adding that while NATO’s collective defence relies on trust, that trust “has been eroding for years”.