Greek Patriot SAM system deployed in Saudi Arabia near oil-industry-critical city of Yanbu continues repelling ballistic and drone attacks from iran and Yemeni Houthis.
During latest such attack, Greek Patriot battery intercepted one ballistic missile and one drone. For which overall 2 surface-to-air missiles were used, which evidently are PAC-2 GEM-T. Ekathimerini reports this citing own sources.
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Meaning Greek Patriot operated in quite economical mode, since standard protocol for one target, especially ballistic missile, requires launching minimum 2 surface-to-air missiles to increase successful engagement chances.
And this is especially surprising considering PAC-2 GEM-T missiles in this battery's ammunition load have significantly lower target engagement chances than PAC-3 MSE. Specifically, for comparison PAC-3 MSE has estimated target intercept probability of 80-90%, while PAC-2 GEM-T is only approximately 60%.
Meaning in Greece they understand surface-to-air missiles must be economized, which apparently U.S. does not understand — Americans with significantly more effective PAC-3 missiles repelling iranian attacks fire like from machine gun, when up to 4 interceptors can fly at one ballistic missile.
However, despite such economy, they apparently still have not understood that using Patriot surface-to-air missiles costing millions of dollars against drones costing thousands of dollars is waste of enormous proportions.
And they shoot down drones from Patriot SAM system far from first time. This is already at minimum third known such case. Specifically this occurred first in April this year, and then in late August.
Recall this Greek Patriot battery is located in Saudi Arabia within ELDYSA (Hellenic Force in Saudi Arabia) mission, launched in 2021. Its goal is protecting oil infrastructure near Yanbu city, which has recently been actively attacked by Yemeni Houthis, who are currently advancing in Yemen and also began blockading Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
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