Regional unity against Turkey: Israeli companies upgrade Greek Air Force

Greece is expected to complete in October the certification of Spike NLOS missiles, manufactured by Rafael, for launch from Apache helicopters. This is reported by the Greek website "On Alert", which notes that the helicopters' electronic systems are being upgraded by Elbit. All this comes as the main, and perhaps only, threat that these upgrades are intended to address is Turkey.

The Spike series includes a wide range of tactical electro-optical missiles, adapted for various ranges and diverse platforms. The lightest model in the series, which has been sold to about 42 countries, including 20 NATO countries, is the Spike SR, which weighs about 10 kg, is shoulder-fired, and is designed for ranges of up to 2 km. At the other end of the spectrum is the Spike NLOS, known as Tamuz, which weighs about 71 kg, is capable of hitting a target from a distance of up to 32 km, and is launched from land, air, or naval platforms.

The Greek Apache helicopter upgrade program is not limited to Spike missiles alone. According to "On Alert", at least five helicopters have already been equipped with new electro-optical and electronic systems. These are stationed at the Greek Air Force base in Alexandria, after Elbit technicians worked on implementing the project together with technicians from the Greek Air Force.

A deal that includes three different defense systems

As part of the project, the Greeks are taking 19 Apache helicopters of the AH-64A+ model, purchased in the 90s, and integrating modern systems into the existing helicopters with the goal of reducing the cost of upgrading capabilities. At the heart of the project is a new TADS (Target Acquisition Designation Sight), which completely replaces the old electro-optical technology and provides pilots with improved capabilities for detecting, identifying, and hitting targets by day and night.

In general, in recent years, and especially in recent months, the connection between Israeli defense industries and the Ministry of Defense in Athens has been tightening. Just recently, Greece's National Security Council (KYSEA) decided to purchase air defense systems from Israel as part of the "Achilles Shield" program for about 2.9 billion euros (about 3.4 billion dollars).

This is the second-largest deal ever after the sale of Arrow 3 to Germany, which included a first deal of 3.5 billion dollars, and in December of last year, as revealed in Globes, a follow-up deal of 3.1 billion dollars for the significant increase of the production rate of interceptors and launchers. The deal with Germany included one system, but the one with Greece includes three different systems: Rafael's David's Sling for the upper layer, Barak MX manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries for the middle layer, and Rafael's Spyder for the lower layer.