NATO and the EU are calling on Greece to assist Ukraine with Patriot systems
Greece has come under pressure from its NATO and European Union allies over calls to provide Ukraine with additional air defense capabilities. Specifically, this refers to interceptor missiles for the Patriot systems currently in service with the Greek Air Force.
Partners are urging Athens to support Ukraine in strengthening its air defense in the face of constant Russian missile and drone attacks. At the same time, Greece’s official position on the possible transfer of these weapons remains under discussion.
According to sources, Ukraine has asked Greece to provide up to 200 PAC-2 missiles from Greek Patriot batteries.
As noted, the Ukrainian side believes that the service life of some of these missiles, which have been in service with the Greek Air Force for 23 years, may be coming to an end.
This request came after previous negotiations regarding the possible transfer of part of Greece’s six Patriot batteries failed to result in an agreement.
Although some allies have suggested that Greece could provide part of its Patriot stockpile, Ukraine’s requests are currently focused specifically on the missile stockpile, not the systems themselves.
Any transfer would require that the missiles be deemed serviceable but not essential for combat operations.
According to the report, one of the proposals under discussion involves Greece selling the missiles to Norway, which would then deliver them to Ukraine.
However, as the article notes, Athens has given no indication that it will respond positively.
Greek officials assert that the country is already contributing to the security of its allies by deploying Patriot systems, specifically a battery in Saudi Arabia that protects critical oil refinery infrastructure.
Greece also noted that it had previously supplied “Sea Sparrow” and “Crotale” missiles to support Ukraine after these systems neared the end of their service life in the Greek armed forces.
Ukraine May Begin Producing Patriot Missiles: The History of the World’s Most Famous Air Defense System.
Ukraine aims to launch production of missiles for the Patriot systems under a U.S. license as soon as possible. However, according to Reuters, this process may begin not in Ukraine, but in one of the European countries.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, who arrived in Kyiv on a working visit. During the talks, the parties discussed increasing sanctions pressure on Russia, Ukraine’s need for air defense systems, and further military cooperation with the United States.
