Greek Request for Israeli Defense Systems due to Fear of Turkey Meeting in Athens

Senior officials from the Rafael company recently visited Athens for a meeting with the high command of the Greek Air Force, as reported by the “Bulgarian Military” website. During the meeting, Micha Ron, an executive at Rafael, presented the “Spider” air defense system, which garnered interest from the Greek officials.

The Greek Air Force’s interest in the Spider system came about two and a half months after the approval of the sale of 40 F-35 fighter jets to Greece by the American Secretary of State. The total cost of this deal is estimated to be around 8.6 billion euros. Meanwhile, Turkey has been strengthening its ties with the Biden administration and is expected to purchase F-16 aircraft and upgrade packages from the US for 20 billion dollars.

The Spider air defense system, presented by Rafael, is known for its advanced capabilities and is currently in operational use in several armies around the world. It provides defense solutions against a variety of aerial threats, including drones, airplanes, helicopters, and long-range ballistic missiles. The system uses interceptors made by Rafael to counter these threats effectively.

Rafael recently introduced a new configuration for the Spider system called the All in One configuration, which includes an integrated radar, electro-optical payload, command and control system, and interceptors all on one vehicle. This configuration offers optimal air defense for point defense or protection against maneuvering forces and can be operated by a minimal team of operators.

In a successful test conducted in Israel in January, the Spider system in its new configuration demonstrated its capability to intercept a UAV in a challenging operational scenario with a direct and accurate hit. The system has proven effective in various scenarios, making it a valuable asset for countries looking to enhance their air defense capabilities.

Turkey’s advanced drone manufacturing industry presents a significant threat to its neighbors, including Greece. The country’s drones, such as the Bayraktar TB2, are actively used in military operations and are in high demand globally. As tensions in the region continue to rise, countries like Greece are exploring options to strengthen their defense systems against potential threats.