Greece will not transfer Russian S-300 SAMs to Ukraine

Greece has no intention of sending Russian-made anti-aircraft missile systems to Ukraine. This was stated by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Mitsotakis was posed a question during the press conference whether the Greek government intends to send armored vehicles to Ukraine together with the Greek military to train Ukrainians, as well as S-300 systems.

The Prime Minister responded with a categorical refusal, noting that sending S-300 systems to Ukraine was never in question. He added that any support for Ukraine should not come at the expense of weakening the defense of Greece.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Photo credits: Greek media

“Such a question is not worth it.

We have said many times that the support we provide to Ukraine should not go at the expense of the defense of our own country,” Mitsotakis said. Therefore, Greece is ready to transfer its infantry vehicles to Ukraine BMP-1 if Germany compensates for this loss with its MARDER armored vehicles. Although, negotiations on this exchange are still ongoing.

S-300 SAM of Greece

In the 1990s, Cyprus decided to acquire S-300PMU1 anti-aircraft missile systems from Russia.

But they were stored outside the territory of Cyprus, on the Greek island of Crete. In return, Greece handed over to Cyprus several combat vehicles of the Tor-M1 air defense system, which it also purchased from Russia.

S-300PMU1 air defense system on the KrAZ-260 chassis of the Greek military. Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of Greece

5P85?

TEL of the S-300PMU1 SAM were installed on the KrAZ-260 chassis. The Greek armed forces are S-300PMU1 (Russia), Patriot ???-2 (USA), Osa-AKM and Tor-?1 (both Russia) SAMs. All systems are integrated into the national air defense system, as well as being a component of NATO air defense.

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