Israel and Greece sign record defence deal

JERUSALEM:

Israel and Greece have signed their biggest ever defence procurement deal, which Israel said on Sunday would strengthen political and economic ties between the countries and the two countries' air forces launched a joint exercise.

The agreement includes a $1.65 billion contract for the establishment and operation of a training centre for the Hellenic Air Force by Israeli defence contractor Elbit Systems over a 22-year period, Israel's defence ministry said. The training centre will be modeled on Israel's own flight academy and will be equipped with 10 M-346 training aircraft produced by Italian company Leonardo, the ministry said.

Elbit will supply kits to upgrade and operate Greece's T-6 aircraft and also provide training, simulators and logistical support. "I am certain that (this programme) will upgrade the capabilities and strengthen the economies of Israel and Greece
and thus the partnership between our two countries will deepen on the defence, economic and political levels," said Israel defence minister Benny Gantz.

The announcement follows a meeting in Cyprus on Friday between the UAE, Greek, Cypriot and Israeli foreign ministers,who agreed to deepen cooperation between their countries. The Israeli and Greek air forces launched a joint exercise in Greece, the Israeli military said. In at least one past exercise over Greece, Israeli fighter planes practiced against an S-300 posted on Crete.

The Russian-made air defence system is also deployed in Syria and Iran, Israel's foes. An Israeli military spokesman did not immediately respond to a Reuters query on whether the air force had again trained against the Greek S-300 in the latest
exercise.