(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — Greece is reconsidering its decision not to send its Russian-made S-300 air defense system to Ukraine, but it will only do so after certain “conditions” are met.
According to Greek media reports, the country is willing to transfer its S-300 air defense system to Ukraine only if it is replaced with a more modern air defense system, namely the MIM-204 Patriot air defense system made by the United States.
It’s reported that Greece is prepared to send 32 launcher systems along with 175 S-300 air defense missiles to Ukraine, but only after they are replaced with the Patriot air defense system.
Several months ago, the United States requested Greece to provide its S-300 air defense system to Ukraine, but Greece refused to do so.
In January, the United States reportedly asked Greece to “transfer” its S-300 air defense system to Ukraine as a “condition” for agreeing to sell fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets to the Mediterranean country.
According to a report by the Greek newspaper “Kathimerini” on January 27, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken wrote a letter to Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on January 26.
The US Secretary of State urged Greece to transfer Russian-made weapons used by its military to Ukraine to assist the Eastern European country in countering Russian military aggression.
Greece possesses several highly sought-after weapon systems by the Ukrainian military in countering Russian incursions into its territory.
Among them are the S-300 and TOR air defense systems, as well as the ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft gun system and a large stockpile of ammunition.
Previously, the United States agreed to sell 40 fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets worth US$8.6 billion (RM38.7 billion) to Greece.
Ukraine is in dire need of air defense systems, especially those made by Russia, which have long been used by its military, such as the S-300, as it is running low on ammunition for these air defense systems.
Defense expert Federico Borsari of the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA) told Greek media that the delivery of the S-300 air defense system to Ukraine has become more crucial following the recent destruction of an MIM-104 Patriot air defense system launcher by a ballistic missile Iskander.
He also noted that the variant of the S-300 air defense system used by the Greek military is more capable than the S-300 operated by the Ukrainian military.
The United States, Germany, and the Netherlands have supplied MIM-104 Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine, which have been used by the country to shoot down Russian guided missile fighter jets.
There are strong reports indicating that Ukraine has moved its Patriot air defense systems closer to the Russian border to enable it to shoot down combat aircraft while they are still in their airspace. –DSA