700-500 million euros: Greece is getting closer to purchasing PULS cannons from Elbit

Greece is close to purchasing 40 PULS cannons from Elbit, in a big deal that will amount to 700-500 million euros. This is reported on the Greek “Kathimarini” website. Using the cannons, Athens aims to deter Turkey both in the Evros district, the land border between the countries, and on the islands in the Aegean Sea.

Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dandias, who has had a close relationship with the Israeli government for several years, is expected to present by February a major acquisition plan that will be spread over the next 12 years. The move stems from the desire of the Greeks to start strengthening their artillery capabilities already this year, and for this they are expected to submit a plan to the required parliamentary committee in Athens already this quarter.

A senior military official who spoke with Kathimarini said that the Greek ambition is to develop artillery capabilities for a range of 300 km, with the selection process being in advanced stages – and the leading candidate is PULS. This system provides a comprehensive solution, capable of launching unguided rockets, precision weapons and missiles in different ranges. The launcher is fully adapted to existing platforms, whether wheeled or tracked, thus allowing a significant reduction in costs the maintenance and training, while it is possible to hit targets with it at a maximum range of 300 km.

In Athens, they aim to realize the benefits of the cannon produced by the Israeli company through the purchase of six types of armaments for the European version (EURO PULS), which will allow it to threaten with the same cannons at ranges ranging from 35-300 km. At the same time, the Greeks aim to purchase the SkyStriker through a deal , an Elbit roving armament that can be launched from the same cannon to ranges of up to 100 km, and is capable of carrying A 5-10 kg warhead.

Israel and Greece are tightening security cooperation

In the shadow of Turkish hostility towards Greece and Israel, the two countries have been tightening their security cooperation in recent months. This is reflected, among other things, in the negotiations to create a multi-layered air defense system for Greece based on Israeli systems. The “New Money” website recently reported that the request includes price offers for radar and air defense systems of the Barak MX model of the Aerospace Industry and Rafael’s Spyder. This means that the Greeks are interested in purchasing two systems that are sold by Israeli companies, but the Israeli defense system does not use them. On the other hand, the David sling system that was already sold to Finland does not appear there – but Greece wants a three-layer air defense system and therefore it is expected to be included in the deal.

The Barak MX system supports various radars and launchers for cover against fighter jets, helicopters, UAVs, cruise missiles, surface-to-air missiles and surface-to-surface missiles. The system is based on a smart and operationally proven control center, which allows the integration of additional interceptor missiles: the Barak MRAD short-range interceptor is launched vertically at high speed, adapted to deal with threats at a range of up to 35 km and includes a radar homing warhead with only one pulse engine; The medium-range LRAD lightning interceptor is launched vertically at high speed, is adapted to deal with threats at a range of up to 70 km and includes a radar homing warhead with a two-pulse engine; And the Barak ER long-range interceptor is launched vertically and includes an accelerator engine, a two-pulse rocket engine and an advanced radar homing head. Increasing the Barak ER interception range is done by adding a rocket booster and adjusting the communication and radar capabilities to a range of 150 km.

All the engines for the various interceptors are manufactured by the government company Tomer, which is considered a source of national knowledge in the field. The only model in use in the Israeli air defense system is the LRAD, which was used in an experiment in August. The LRAD is being used by the Sa’ar 6 ships, and as part of the same experiment launched from Achi Atzuma. During the experiment, a precision rocket was fired at a target that resembled a “strategic asset at sea” – which apparently refers to a gas rig, since the Sa’ar 6 ships were uniquely designed to protect the rigs of Israel. The Barak MX system of the aerospace industry has been sold to a number of countries in the world, one of the most prominent of which is Azerbaijan. which purchased it in November last year for 1.2 billion dollars.

The Israeli company presented the Rafale Spider system to the High Command of the Greek Air Force in April. The system, which is also gaining interest from other customers such as Kenya, is already in use by several countries – including the Czech Republic. Spider is a defense system that provides air defense solutions at different ranges and against a variety of air threats, including drones, airplanes, helicopters and short-range ballistic missiles.

The system intercepts the threats using two families of interceptors manufactured by Rafael – PYTHON and DERBY. A few months ago, Rafael introduced a new configuration for the Spider system – the All in One configuration – which offers a complete air defense system that includes: an integral radar, a dedicated electro-optical payload, an advanced command and control system and Python and Derby interceptors, all installed on one vehicle Last January, Rafael, in cooperation with the Ministry of Defense, completed a A successful experiment in the Spider system in the All in One configuration.

This configuration is a solution for optimal air defense for point defense or as air defense against maneuvering forces; This, as part of a spider battery or in an independent deployment and operated by a minimal team of operators. In an experiment conducted in January of last year in Israel, several scenarios simulating existing and future threats were tested, during which the Spider system, in its new configuration, intercepted a UAV in a challenging operational scenario with a direct and accurate hit.