Israel’s Elbit lands major Greece deal as NATO races to adapt to modern warfare

Elbit Systems, one of Israel’s “big three” defense companies, announced Monday that it has signed a contract with Greece’s Defense Ministry to supply its Precise & Universal Launching System (PULS) to the Hellenic Armed Forces, confirming reports from last December of an imminent major deal.

The deal comes more than four years into the war in Ukraine, where the widespread use of long-range missiles and drones has made close-in engagements increasingly difficult. The battlefield’s saturation with tactical UAVs has left small units highly exposed, often unable to move in the open without being detected and struck. The conflict has also been marked by extensive strategic strikes on both military targets and civilian infrastructure, as each side seeks to erode the other’s will to continue fighting.

Greece is one of several NATO countries in Europe that are watching these developments in modern warfare and making plans and equipment purchases to try to cope with them.

The PULS systems Greece has just purchased from Elbit Systems will be delivered over the next four years, and the company will provide logistical and spare parts support for another ten years, with options for extended long-term service.

Additional details were provided in the Greek Ministry of Defense announcement, including that the agreement covers the provision of several PULS launchers and a wide variety of ammunition that can be fired by them. This includes training rockets, precision guided munitions scaled for different ranges, as well as loitering munitions and drones.

Greece is one of several regional militaries seeking warfighting solutions for the digital, AI-enabled battlefields of the future, where precision tracking and targeting make mobility essential for launch systems. Any missile or artillery round reveals the firing position, requiring platforms to “shoot and scoot” almost immediately to avoid counterfire guided by advanced tracking systems.

The PULS system can be mounted on heavy trucks or tracked vehicles, depending on operational requirements. This gives operators high mobility and the versatility to carry out a range of firing missions, with minimal preparation time between strikes. In practice, it can launch precision missiles at one target, relocate within minutes to avoid counterfire, and then deliver a volley of cluster munitions against a dispersed target – repeating the cycle in rapid succession.

All of this also gives the forces purchasing the PULS system the ability to quickly integrate it into their existing order of battle, reducing training time and the costs of maintenance and long-term sustainment.

Additionally, Elbit Systems said in its announcement that it would utilize local industrial capacity in Greece to manufacture some of the system's components, helping to create and sustain jobs while also diversifying its global supply chain.

Elbit Systems President and CEO Bezhalel “Butzi” Machlis said that “Elbit Systems has a longstanding and successful cooperation with the Hellenic Ministry of National Defense, and this project further strengthens that relationship. Greece joins additional NATO countries that have selected the PULS system, underscoring its growing reputation as a highly effective and versatile solution for modern artillery requirements in Europe and beyond, and we are honored by the continued confidence shown in our advanced systems.”

In related news, Elbit announced Monday that it is proceeding with the delivery of military drones to Romania, following earlier reports that it had requested a six-month delay due to circumstances related to the war with Iran.

Romania’s Defense Ministry had said it was considering canceling the $450 million contract, warning that the delay could render the systems no longer relevant to its defense needs. The episode highlights growing competition in Europe’s defense market, as Romania – like several other countries – has increasingly turned to Ukraine’s drone industry, whose battle-tested platforms are now entering the export market.