The director-general of the Israeli Defense Ministry, Maj. Gen. (Res.) Eyal Zamir, and the Greek Director of the General Directorate for Defence Investments and Armaments, Vice Admiral (rtd) Aristeidis Alexopulos, have signed a GTG agreement for the export of naval, air and land-based Spike missiles manufactured by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. The agreement is valued at approximately 1.44 billion NIS (approx. 400 million dollars) and was led by SIBAT, the IMoD’s International Defense Cooperation Directorate.
The Spike anti-tank guided missiles manufactured by Rafael are innovative and precise electro-optical missiles that incorporate advanced technology. Spike missiles can be launched from around 45 platforms from land, air, and sea. Some 40 countries around the world use Spike missiles, including 19 EU countries and NATO allies. More than 34,000 missiles from the Spike family have already been delivered to various countries around the world and more than 6,000 of them have been launched, both during training as well as for operational use.
According to Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, “This project joins a series of agreements between the State of Israel and the Hellenic Republic, and further emphasizes the strong partnership between our countries and our defense establishments, as well as our mutual commitment to ensuring regional stability. I commend our defense industries - our technological capabilities enable the State of Israel to make positive economic and political achievements.”
Director General of the Defense Ministry, Maj. Gen. (Res.) Eyal Zamir, added: "This agreement with the Hellenic Ministry of National Defense is yet another expression of the strategic partnership between Israel and Greece. It is part of a series of agreements worth billions of shekels which we have signed in the last two years, including the recent update of the Greek Air Force Pilot Training Center's capabilities."
Maj. Gen. (Res.) Yoav Har-Even, CEO and President of Rafael stated: "We welcome the agreement with the Greek Ministry of Defense and thank the Israeli Ministry of Defense for promoting cooperation with Greece in general and in regards to this deal in particular. Spike missiles will strengthen the Greek army's portfolio of operational tools and we expect further expansion through strategic collaborations in the near future."