Greece Claimed Source Code Was Part of Achilles’ Shield Deal. Israel Confirms It Is Not

Greece will not receive the source code governing the command-and-control systems at the heart of its new Israeli air-defense network, Israeli officials confirmed, invalidating Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias' claims otherwise.

Moshe Patel, head of Israel’s Missile Defense Organization, confirmed to Kathimerini that source-code access was excluded from the licensing terms of the €3.035 billion Achilles’ Shield agreement.

His statement directly contradicts an assurance given a month earlier by Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias.

Dendias’ Assurance Collides With Israeli Terms

Dendias had set out what appeared to be a broad policy against acquiring weapons without access to their underlying software.

“The Greek Armed Forces do not acquire, and will not acquire, any system, apart from highly specialized cases, none of which I am currently aware of, although in this field we should always allow for exceptional circumstances, for which we do not have access to the source code.”

He added: “Anything the country acquires, unless I specifically inform you otherwise, comes with its source code.”

Patel’s account of the signed agreement leaves Achilles’ Shield outside that formulation.

Asked specifically whether Greece would have access to the source code associated with the network’s command-and-control capabilities, Patel replied: “No. Because the source code was not included in the licensing agreement.”

He said Israel would instead remain responsible for support, maintenance and future technical assistance.

Proprietary Control Remains With Israel

The limitation means Greece will operate Spyder, Barak MX and David’s Sling as part of a layered air- and missile-defense architecture without full access to the proprietary software beneath the systems.

The package also includes Israeli-made ELTA radars and a command-and-control layer intended to coordinate the different interceptors and sensors.

Each principal weapon system will also retain its own command-and-control system and radar capability.

Athens had emphasized the importance of retaining control over the software architecture used to operate and develop the network.

The licensing arrangement described by Patel stops short of transferring that level of access.

Layered Network Across Greece

Under the planned architecture, Spyder systems are intended for islands farther from the Greek mainland.

Barak MX will cover additional islands closer to the mainland, while David’s Sling will provide broader-range coverage over the mainland and surrounding islands.

Patel said Greek and Israeli officials had worked for almost four years on the agreement, including repeated visits by Greek Air Force and planning officers to Israel and Israeli delegations to Athens.

The package will include a planning tool to determine radar and interceptor deployment, allowing Greece to conduct its own analysis and adjust deployment decisions.

NATO Integration and U.S. Approval

Patel said the Israeli systems have Link 16 capability and can be connected with other systems used by NATO members.

David’s Sling, however, carries an additional restriction.

Any connection between David’s Sling and other NATO states or systems will require an integration plan and approval from the U.S. government under the authorization governing the system, Patel said.

Spyder and Barak MX do not require the same U.S. approval.

Greek Industrial Participation

The agreement also provides for roughly 25% Greek industrial participation, including co-production of components inside Greece.

Patel said Israeli companies had begun work with prospective Greek partners but declined to identify the components involved while arrangements remained under development.

The agreement covers equipment, radars, logistical support, training and continuing assistance.

Greek personnel are expected to receive training in Israel, with additional training in Greece if required.