Dendias Sets 34-Month Timeline for Achilles Shield Air Defence

Defence Minister Nikos Dendias said the Achilles Shield, a layered air and anti-drone defence system, will reach full operational readiness within 34 months as deliveries arrive in stages.

In a newspaper interview published on Saturday 31 October, the defence minister said the overall architecture is what matters most. Part of the Achilles Shield appeared at the 28 October military parade in Thessaloniki.

The plan places layered protective domes over Greek territory under one national command and control system. That system will link existing Patriot batteries, fighter jets and naval units. It will also connect sensors from all three branches of the country’s armed forces.

According to Dendias, the network will reach “down to the sight on the soldier’s helmet”. He also said the Achilles Shield is the first priority among Greece’s procurement programs.

Read more: Navy Unveils Secret Homegrown Sea Drone

What the Achilles Shield will include

Advanced radars sit at the heart of the Achilles Shield. Alongside them, the anti-drone layer will rely on domestic systems as well as non-kinetic counter-drone technology.

The navy has completed successful tests with Saronic’s Corsair uncrewed vessel, which the US Navy also uses. As a result, Greece has requested a significant number of these boats through a government-to-government agreement.

In addition, the Hellenic Centre for Defence Innovation signed a memorandum with the MIT Sea Grant Program on marine robotics. MIT trained Naval Academy cadets in June, Dendias said.

Satellites, jets and frigates

Dendias said Greece will gain a presence in space “for the first time in the history of our country”. Plans include a military-grade geostationary satellite, three medium-orbit satellites through the EU’s IRIS² program and radar satellites with Poland.

He added that the armed forces will inaugurate a Space Command in December. The first F-35 fighter jets are due in 2028. At the same time, the air force is upgrading 83 F-16s to the Viper standard.

For the navy, Greece will receive two more FDI frigates within 2026. It also plans to buy two Italian FREMM Bergamini-class frigates at first, with two more to follow. The plans also cover new minehunters and a MEKO frigate upgrade.

Under the third phase of the military restructuring plan, 56 units and 126 structures will close. Dendias said this will save €530 million over five years, plus €600 million from equipment of reduced operational value.

An FDI frigate costs about €2 million a year to run, compared with €7.3 million for an older frigate. Most of the savings will go to personnel pay, he said.

Finally, Dendias said at least 25 per cent domestic industry participation will become the rule in procurement. The government will put that into law. Beyond the Achilles Shield, cyber defence will be a heavy priority until 2030 because of artificial intelligence.

“Strong armed forces mean credible deterrence,” he said.

Source: KATHIMERINI

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