Israel and Greece have signed their biggest defence deal worth close to £1.2 billion.

Israel’s Elbit Systems won the contract to establish a training centre for the Hellenic Air Force.

It will supply new training aircraft as well as advanced avionic equipment to school pilots.

Israel’s Defence Minister Benny Gantz said, “This cooperation agreement rests on the excellence of Israeli industry and on the strong, longstanding relations between the defence establishments of Israel and Greece.”

The agreement reflects growing ties in recent years between Israel and Greece, which was once seen as closer to the Palestinians.

It follows the strained relations between Israel and Turkey under its President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The foreign ministers of Israel, Greece, Cyprus and the United Arab Emirates met in Paphos on Friday to discuss tourism.