According to a statement by Greek Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias, published in the newspaper Proto Thema in an interview with journalist Nikos Meletis, the Greek Government’s recent approval of the “Achilles Shield” programme represents a landmark step in the country’s long-term defence transformation and marks the beginning of a new era for the Hellenic Armed Forces.

The decision, approved by the Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defence (KYSEA), authorises the development of a nationwide, multi-layered air and missile defence architecture that forms a central pillar of the Ministry of National Defence’s Agenda 2030 reform programme.

According to the minister, the new architecture will transform Greece’s defence posture by replacing individual, stand-alone capabilities with a fully integrated and interoperable system capable of protecting the country against the full spectrum of modern threats.

The Achilles Shield will combine air defence, ballistic missile defence and counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) within a unified command-and-control network. Designed as a layered defensive architecture, it will integrate sensors, interceptors and command assets across the land, maritime and air domains, while progressively expanding to include cyber defence and space-based capabilities.

The programme reflects the operational lessons learned from recent conflicts, where drones, precision-guided weapons, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles have fundamentally changed the character of warfare. Greek planners aim to establish a defence network capable of rapidly detecting, analysing and responding to multiple simultaneous threats while strengthening the protection of critical military infrastructure, strategic facilities and the country’s island territories.

One of the programme’s most notable features is the planned introduction of electromagnetic defence technologies, marking the first time such capabilities will be incorporated into the Hellenic Armed Forces. Although detailed information has not yet been released, these systems are expected to enhance Greece’s ability to counter emerging aerial threats through advanced electronic and electromagnetic technologies.

The initiative also includes Greece’s participation in a constellation of small satellites, significantly enhancing national surveillance, reconnaissance, situational awareness and secure data transmission. These space-based assets will strengthen monitoring of Greece’s maritime approaches and provide improved support for military operations through real-time intelligence.

Beyond its military significance, the programme is designed to reinforce Greece’s domestic defence industrial base. The government has established a minimum 25% participation requirement for the Greek defence industry in major procurement programmes, ensuring that a substantial share of the investment remains within the national economy.

Large portions of the new defence systems are expected to be manufactured or integrated in Greece, promoting technology transfer, creating highly skilled jobs and supporting the development of future export opportunities for Greek defence companies.

A key strategic decision is that the software responsible for managing and integrating the entire defence architecture will remain under Greek ownership. This approach is intended to guarantee operational autonomy, cybersecurity, long-term flexibility and sovereign control over one of the country’s most critical national security assets.

The government has also stressed that all acquisitions form part of a long-term, fully costed procurement strategy that remains within Greece’s fiscal framework while maximising operational effectiveness and ensuring responsible use of public resources.

With the implementation of the Achilles Shield, Greece aims to join the leading European nations in integrated air and missile defence. According to Minister Dendias, the objective is not simply to follow technological developments, but to anticipate future threats by building one of Europe’s most advanced and comprehensive defence architectures for the decades ahead.