Greece Evaluating Elbit Air Keeper System

The Elbit Air Keeper solution brings together all ISTAR and EW capabilities and is designed to be compatible to various business and civil platforms. Elbit System’s innovation stands out in its ability to seamlessly coordinate diverse components. It ensures co-existence for each system, sensor, and radar to operate smoothly and efficiently, without interfering with one another, it also enables bi-directional connection to an EW ground control centre via satellite to provide the decision-makers with a complete, real-time, uninterrupted intelligence picture of the arena.

According to the Israeli company, at times of peace, this solution can essentially serve as an intelligence collector, building a comprehensive situational picture through continuous border flights. In principle, the Air Keeper avoids the need to cross borders or enter missile-threatened areas. In times of conflict, the primary role of the Air Keeper shifts to targeting for offensive forces. For example, when a missile battery is detected, the aircraft first identifies it. Following this, it can act by initiating procedures to neutralise the threat. This enables other assets to safely enter the Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) zone and eliminate the threat with reduced risk.

Elbit says that the Air Keeper sensors are smoothly integrated via the Multi Mission System (MMS) application, offering operators a consolidated situational awareness display. Using this application, operators can identify targets and select from a range of electronic engagement strategies, such as disrupting communications or jamming signals. This is all achieved while keeping a complete and real-time intelligence overview on a single screen, ensuring a thorough understanding of the situation at all times. This feature enables the linking of multiple aircraft or intelligence sources, facilitating a cohesive and complete overview of the situation.

Elbit sources explain that the system is constructing layers of ELINT (Electronic Intelligence), COMINT (Communications Intelligence), VISINT (Visual Intelligence) and radar, combining them to form a unified real-time image on the display.”  This data can then be transmitted to central command centres through satellite communications, making sure they have the same detailed view as observed on the aircraft.

The Greek interest in the Air Keeper system is part of this country’s plan to form an integrated air defence systems dubbed “Achilles Shield.” Israeli air defence systems will be integrated into the planned Greek air defence system. According to sources Greece will rely mainly on Israeli combat-proven systems like; Barak MX, David’s Sling and Spyder. The planned Greek Achilles Shield is being described as a broader “dome” or integrated defence network rather than a single missile battery. It is meant to cover multiple threat layers, including aircraft, drones, and missiles. Israel is relevant because it brings combat-proven layered air defence experience, plus systems Greece wants for a more integrated posture. The Greek side also appears interested in domestic co-production and technology transfer, not just direct imports.

For Greece, the programme is mainly about strengthening deterrence against Turkey and freeing up ships and fighter aircraft from homeland air-defence duties. For Israel, it would deepen defence-industrial ties in the Eastern Mediterranean and could create co-production opportunities.

Although both countries are still NATO partners, the Greek government and the majority of the Greek population view Turkey as a serious threat to Greece. Rather than a single impending invasion threat, the tension is the result of long-standing disagreements. The combination of military provocations, territorial disputes and verbal threats creates a constant danger that keeps Greece’s armed forces on high alert, even though a full-scale armed confrontation is considered unlikely.

Arie Egozi