Greece has taken a significant step forward with its new defence agreement with Israel. The government in Athens has decided to strengthen its arsenal by acquiring PULS multiple-launch rocket systems, with a range of between 35 and 300 kilometres. Following approval by the Greek Parliament, the agreement was signed and entered into force on 6 April.
The Israeli company Elbit Systems, which manufactures the PULS systems to be deployed on Aegean islands and along the Evros River, is set to receive $600 million.
According to a report by Sözcü, Turkey claims that despite what it describes as a violation of the Treaty of Lausanne, Greece continues to militarise the Aegean islands, including the placement of missile batteries on Karpathos and Samothrace. It further alleges that the PULS system will be deployed both on Aegean islands and in areas close to the Turkish border, including along the Evros River.
The system is capable of intercepting ballistic missiles and conducting precision strikes against designated targets.
Israel will also provide maintenance, repair and logistical support services for the rocket systems over a ten-year period, as well as supply training munitions, guided missiles and cruise missiles to Greece. The PULS system is regarded as a modern rocket artillery platform capable of launching various types of missiles across different ranges.
The system is currently in service with Azerbaijan, India, Denmark, the Netherlands, Kazakhstan and Serbia. Spain, however, has reportedly abandoned plans to acquire the system in light of the war in Gaza.
The Greek armed forces already operate a range of Israeli-made weapons and defence systems and continue to expand their acquisitions. Israeli UAVs are also actively used in surveillance operations across the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean.
