Greece locks in €3 billion of Israeli air defense. Poland's drone sector now under fire, literally.
Top story
Greece signs €3 billion Achilles Shield air-defence agreement with Israel. Israel and Greece signed a €3 billion defense agreement Monday under which Israel will deliver a multi-layered air-defence array called Achilles Shield. The system integrates David’s Sling medium-to-long-range interceptors, Barak MX naval and land-based air defense, and Spyder short-range launchers, alongside Israeli radars and command infrastructure. Israel’s Ministry of Defense called it the largest defense export deal in the history of bilateral relations with Greece. Why it matters: Greece is locking in interoperability with Israeli systems at a scale that reshapes the Eastern Mediterranean’s air-defense architecture — and signals continued Greek willingness to deepen defense ties with Israel even as Turkey watches. (Corroborated) Defence Blog → · Defence Industry Europe → · Daily Sabah →
The rundown
INDUSTRY — A fire broke out overnight Sunday at a WB Electronics facility in Skarżysko-Kamienna, Poland, in the plant’s assembly department. Local fire services have not ruled out arson. The incident adds to a pattern of fires and suspected sabotage at European defense manufacturers in 2026, with facilities in Germany, the UK, and the Baltic states previously affected. (Corroborated) Defence Blog → · Defence24 →
PROCUREMENT — South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace signed an export contract with Spain’s Indra Sistemas for K9 self-propelled howitzers, bringing the total number of K9 operator countries to eleven. The contract was disclosed in a regulatory filing; Hanwha did not disclose the value or number of units. Spain becomes the latest NATO member to adopt the Korean 155mm system. (Single source) Defence Blog →
MUNITIONS — Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence agency (HUR) published a technical breakdown of Russia’s Zircon missile, calling into question Moscow’s claims of unstoppable hypersonic performance. HUR’s analysis provides details on the missile’s flight profile, propulsion, and guidance. Russia has promoted Zircon as a weapon immune to Western air defenses; Ukraine’s report suggests the system’s actual capabilities may fall short of official Russian statements. (Single source) Defence Blog →
AUTONOMY — The Norwegian Army has presented its development concept, Morgendagens Hær (The Army of Tomorrow), setting the direction for the army’s development up to 2040. The document identifies seven priority areas: increased firepower, artificial intelligence, electronic warfare, unmanned systems, mobility, logistics, and personnel resilience. The concept is intended to guide procurement and force structure decisions over the next fifteen years. (Single source) Defence24 →
MUNITIONS — Ukrainian defense technology company Fire Point is building its first production facility outside Ukraine, establishing a solid rocket propellant plant in Denmark. Fire Point CEO says the facility will be Ukraine’s first rocket production site on NATO territory, with capacity to fuel more than 4,000 missiles annually. The plant is intended to support Ukrainian missile production while reducing reliance on domestic facilities vulnerable to Russian strikes. (Single source) Defence Industry Europe →
PROCUREMENT — New Zealand will acquire 26 Saab Carl-Gustaf M4 weapon systems for delivery in 2027, replacing M3 systems that are approaching the end of their service lives. The M4 is lighter and shorter than the M3, and compatible with a wider range of ammunition types. The deal continues New Zealand’s long-standing use of the Swedish recoilless rifle family. (Single source) Defence Industry Europe →
DRONES — Ukraine has asked Latvia to support the rapid delivery of air defense equipment, unmanned ground vehicles, fibre-optic-controlled drones and additional strike capabilities as Kyiv sets out its current battlefield priorities. The request was made during recent bilateral talks; Latvia has previously supplied drones and other equipment to Ukraine. (Single source) UK Defence Journal →
Signals
NAVAL — BAE Systems has received a $149.8 million contract from the US Navy to carry out maintenance and modernization work on the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer. The work will be performed at BAE’s San Diego shipyard. The contract is part of the Navy’s ongoing effort to extend the service lives of Wasp-class ships. (Single source) UK Defence Journal →
By the numbers
9 events in this issue · 2/9 corroborated · €3.1bn in stated deal values · 8/9 European · busiest beat: industry
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