Greece is in negotiations with Israel to develop its Iron Dome air defense system for two billion euros ($2.11 billion), as part of an ambitious plan to modernize its military capabilities, Reuters reported, citing senior Greek officials.
The main reason Athens is interested in such a major deal is its enmity with Turkey, its large eastern neighbour, which in August announced its multi-layered “Steel Dome” air defense project.
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A source familiar with the matter told Reuters, “The plan is to create a multi-layered anti-aircraft and anti-drone system. We are in discussions with Israel.”
Iron Dome, manufactured by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, is the short-range layer of Israel’s multi-layered air defense system designed to deal with threats with a range of up to 40 kilometers, with each interceptor missile costing $30,000. Going further, David’s Sling, also made by Rafael, intercepts threats at a cost of $700,000 per missile. In August 2023, the United States agreed to sell the Israeli “David’s Sling” system to Finland for 316 million euros.
To counter long-range threats, Israel has the Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 systems produced by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). Arrow 2 is for intra-atmospheric intercepts and arrow 3 is for extra-atmospheric intercepts. The cost of an interception with Arrow 2 is $1.5 million, while the cost of an interception with Arrow 3 is $2 million. Israel sold the Arrow 3 system to Germany for $3.5 billion, with deliveries scheduled to begin next year.
Published by Globes, Israel Business News – en.globes.co.il – on November 15, 2024.
© Copyright Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd., 2024.
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