Key Takeaways:
- Greece and Israel will cooperate on anti-drone systems and cybersecurity.
- The two countries will exchange views and know-how to deal with drones and unmanned subsea vehicles.
- Greece and Israel will work together to intercept cyber threats.
- The cooperation is part of the countries’ strong economic and diplomatic ties, which include joint military drills and the operation of an air training centre.
- Greece has approved the purchase of Israeli-made rocket artillery systems and is in talks to develop an anti-aircraft and anti-ballistic defence system.
Introduction to Greece-Israel Cooperation
Greece and Israel have strengthened their defence cooperation, with a focus on anti-drone systems and cybersecurity. On January 20, 2026, Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias met with his Israeli counterpart, Israel Katz, in Athens to discuss the details of their cooperation. The meeting highlighted the strong economic and diplomatic ties between the two countries, which have been growing in recent years. Greece and Israel have been operating an air training centre on Greek territory and have held joint military drills, demonstrating their commitment to regional stability and security.
Defence Cooperation and Cybersecurity
During the meeting, Dendias and Katz agreed to exchange views and know-how to deal with drones and unmanned subsea vehicles. They also discussed cooperation on cybersecurity, with the aim of intercepting cyber threats. The Greek Defence Minister stated that the cooperation would enable the two countries to be better equipped to handle drones, particularly swarms of unmanned vehicles and groups of unmanned subsea vehicles. The agreement on cybersecurity will also enhance their ability to counter cyber threats, which are becoming increasingly common in the region. The cooperation on anti-drone systems and cybersecurity is a significant development, as both countries face similar security challenges in the region.
Regional Security Concerns
The cooperation between Greece and Israel is also driven by regional security concerns. Both countries see Turkey as a significant security threat, and their cooperation is aimed at countering Turkish aggression in the region. Katz stated that the two countries are determined not to allow actors who seek to undermine regional stability to gain a foothold through terror, aggression, or military proxies in Syria, Gaza, or the Aegean Sea. Although Dendias and Katz did not explicitly mention Turkey, it is clear that the country is a major concern for both Greece and Israel. The cooperation between the two countries is a strategic move to enhance their defence capabilities and counter potential threats in the region.
Economic and Diplomatic Ties
The cooperation between Greece and Israel is also driven by strong economic and diplomatic ties. The two countries have a long history of cooperation, and their relationship has been growing in recent years. Greece has approved the purchase of 36 Israeli-made PULS rocket artillery systems, worth approximately 650 million euros. Additionally, Greece is in talks with Israel to develop an anti-aircraft and anti-ballistic multi-layer air and drone defence system, estimated to cost around 3 billion euros. The economic cooperation between the two countries is significant, and their diplomatic ties are also strong. The operation of an air training centre on Greek territory and the holding of joint military drills demonstrate the close relationship between Greece and Israel.
Conclusion and Future Prospects
In conclusion, the cooperation between Greece and Israel on anti-drone systems and cybersecurity is a significant development in the region. The two countries are committed to enhancing their defence capabilities and countering potential threats in the region. Their strong economic and diplomatic ties provide a solid foundation for their cooperation, and their joint efforts will contribute to regional stability and security. As the security landscape in the region continues to evolve, the cooperation between Greece and Israel is likely to grow, with a focus on addressing common security challenges and enhancing their defence capabilities. The future prospects of the cooperation are promising, and it is likely that the two countries will continue to work together to address the security concerns in the region.