Rank #28 · Europe
Greece spent $8.4B on defense in 2025 (~3.1% of GDP by NATO methodology), persistently one of the highest defense burdens in NATO due to Aegean tensions with Turkey. The €25B "Achilles Shield" multi-year rearmament programme launched in April 2025 funds 24 Rafales, up to 40 F-35s, four FDI Belharra-class frigates, and a multi-layered missile-defense umbrella.
Greece's defense burden has stayed above the NATO 2% pledge for the entire post-1980 period. The €25B Achilles Shield rearmament programme, unveiled by PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis on April 2, 2025, runs through 2036 and is described as the most significant Greek defense overhaul since the founding of the modern state. A March 2026 parliamentary committee approved a €4.6B budget tranche to deploy the Achilles Shield, upgrade 38 additional F-16s, continue naval modernization, and sustain military transport aircraft. Major procurement: 24 Rafale (delivered through 2025), up to 40 F-35A (first deliveries from 2028), four FDI Belharra-class frigates (first commissioned January 2026), and multi-layer air-and-missile defense.
The Hellenic Armed Forces field roughly 142,000 active personnel — Army ~93,000, Navy ~16,000, Air Force ~21,000, plus joint commands. Conscription remains universal (12 months) and is being extended in some specialties. The Air Force flies 24 Rafale F3R (delivery completed 2025), upgraded F-16V Block 70/72 (98 conversions underway), F-4E Phantom 2020 (retiring), and Mirage 2000-5 (retiring). The F-35 transition begins 2028. The Navy operates 4 MEKO 200HN frigates plus the new FDI Belharra (Kimon class — first vessel commissioned January 2026, 4 total). The Army fields Leopard 2A6 HEL/A4, M1117 ASV, and M270 MLRS.
Greek domestic industry is concentrated in Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI — F-16 maintenance and upgrades, M-346 cooperation), Hellenic Defence Systems (EAS — small arms, ammunition), and ONEX Shipyards (with EU-funded recapitalization of Elefsis, Skaramangas, and Syros yards). The Achilles Shield programme contains explicit local-content provisions: a fourth FDI frigate is to be built locally to anchor the Greek shipbuilding industry, and Israeli SPYDER and PULS partnerships include local assembly. Greece remains a structural net importer — France (Rafale, FDI), the US (F-35, F-16V), Israel (PULS rocket artillery, SPYDER air defense), and Germany (submarines, Leopard tanks) dominate.
Greece's primary security challenge is sustained tension with Turkey over Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean maritime jurisdiction — including ongoing disputes over Imia/Kardak, the demilitarization of certain Aegean islands, and competing EEZ claims around Cyprus. Turkish overflights of Greek-claimed airspace are routine and produce regular interception sorties. The 2020 Eastern Mediterranean crisis escalation, while contained, drove the original Rafale and FDI procurements. Greece is also a NATO eastern-flank state under the Madrid 2022 framework and contributes to NATO Standing Maritime Groups. Greek-Egyptian and Greek-French defense pacts complement deterrence.
On April 27, 2026 SIPRI placed Greece's 2025 spending at $8.4B. PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis unveiled the €25B Achilles Shield rearmament programme on April 2, 2025. The first FDI Belharra frigate, Kimon, was commissioned by the Hellenic Navy on January 30, 2026 (one of four; a fourth to be built locally). A March 2026 parliamentary committee approved €4.6B in further programme funding. The 24th and final Rafale was delivered in 2025. F-35 deliveries are slated to begin in 2028. Greece reaffirmed defense pacts with France (mutual-defense clauses) and continues coordinated activity with Cyprus, Egypt, and Israel.
Sustained tension with neighboring Turkey over Aegean airspace, maritime jurisdiction, and the eastern Mediterranean drives Greece's persistently high defense burden — typically above 2.5% of GDP since the 1980s and consistently among NATO's top spenders by share, despite a sovereign-debt crisis 2010-2018.
A €25B multi-year rearmament programme unveiled by PM Mitsotakis on April 2, 2025 and running through 2036. It funds 24 Rafale, up to 40 F-35A, four FDI Belharra frigates, F-16V upgrades, and a multi-layered air-and-missile defense umbrella. A March 2026 €4.6B tranche covers the next deployment phase.
Greece has approval for up to 40 F-35A Lightning II aircraft. The first batch of 20 is contracted; first deliveries are scheduled for 2028 with full operational capability in the early 2030s. The F-35s replace F-4E Phantom 2020s and complement the upgraded F-16V fleet.
Yes. Greece joined NATO in 1952 and is a long-standing eastern Mediterranean ally. Greece consistently meets the 2% GDP target and supports NATO operations including Sea Guardian, Air Policing, and Standing Maritime Group 2.