Greece may retrieve a Patriot battery from Saudi Arabia

Greece is considering the option of bringing back a Patriot air defense battery from Saudi Arabia. The system has been stationed there for about five years.

According to media reports, a decision on the possible withdrawal of the Greek battery is currently under consideration.

A decision regarding the future of the Greek contingent in Saudi Arabia (ELDYSA) and the possible return of the Patriot battery, deployed in the Yanbu area, will be made at the next meeting of the Government Council on Foreign Affairs and Defense (KYSEA).

According to reports, the Ministry of National Defense is considering two options regarding the personnel and equipment of the Air Force’s 350th Missile Wing: extending the deployment by one month, with the issue to be reconsidered in October, or a decision to withdraw the Patriot system from Saudi Arabia after a five-year deployment. Currently, Air Force personnel are preparing to deploy to Saudi Arabia to relieve their colleagues at the end of September.

This deployment has provided the Greek armed forces with significant operational advantages. However, uncertainty remains regarding the details of the agreements between Athens and Riyadh within the framework of the Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) concept, particularly concerning the maintenance and modernization of the Greek Patriot systems.

Greece and Saudi Arabia were in the final stages of negotiations to modernize all six of the Air Force’s long-range mobile Patriot batteries, with an estimated cost, to be funded by Saudi Arabia, approximately $350 million at 2021 prices. The negotiations were subsequently put on hold after the war began on February 28, when demand for air defense systems and ammunition surged.

Even before the negotiations were suspended, there were disagreements over the scope of the modernization. Reportedly, some Saudi officials advocated modernizing only the battery in Yanbu—whose radar stations and launchers had been under prolonged operational strain—rather than all six systems.

Greek officials clarified that negotiations with Riyadh are ongoing and that Athens continues to push for the implementation of the modernization agreement. They also emphasize that commitments to replenish stocks of missiles used against ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles are being honored, ensuring that Greece’s national ammunition reserves will not be depleted.

The deployment of Saudi forces has also demonstrated the high level of training of the 350th Wing’s personnel in real combat conditions. Since March 19, 2026, ELDYSA has intercepted four ballistic missiles and three unmanned aerial vehicles launched by Iran and Houthi forces in Yemen against energy facilities in western Saudi Arabia.

According to official data, seven missiles were used for the seven successful interceptions, representing a 100% success rate.

This was reported by "European Truth" with reference to Ekathimerini.

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