Greek armed forces to get new missiles, upgrade systems

Besides the deal with the French government to procure three frigates, with an option for a fourth, and six more Rafale fighter jets, raising the total to 24, Greece will spend considerable sums to acquire missiles and ammunition, lease drones and upgrade other air and naval weapons systems, Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos told Parliament’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Wednesday.

The missiles and shells will cost about 550 million euros and will be used to upgrade the Hellenic Army Air Force’s Apache AH-64A helicopters, the Air Force’s fighter jets and Navy gunboats.

According to reports, the range and accuracy of the Israeli weapon system can turn simple patrol boats into “dangerous weapons” to counter enemy ships on the country’s maritime borders.

Greece would reportedly be spending around 370 million euros ($428 million) for the missiles.

About Spike NLOS Missiles

Designed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, the Spike NLOS missile is a multi-purpose electro-optical missile system that can be installed on a variety of land, air, and sea platforms.

It can be operated in either direct attack or mid-course navigation using coordinates only, and provide the ability to attack enemies at stand-off range with no line of sight.

The Spike NLOS is capable of hitting targets with precision at a distance of 25 kilometers (15 miles).

Greece will also lease two more Heron-1 unmanned aerial vehicles from Israel, which, added to the two already in its possession, will help guard the country’s Aegean waters.

The armed forces will also upgrade training rotor aircraft and the diesel engines of its Meko-class frigates.