There are reports in press that Greece is leaning toward the option of transferring its S-300 surface-to-air missile systems to Ukraine. The decision comes a week after a russian missile fell just a few hundred meters from the location of the Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis during his visit to Odesa, Ukraine.
After this incident, Greece became "less inclined to heed Moscow's warnings," which opposes the possible transfer of these systems to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Read more: Greece to Supply Ukraine with Aviation Missiles, Artillery, and M114 Howitzers in 2024
The equipment under consideration for potential transfer is the S-300 systems deployed on the island of Crete, which form the defense line against Turkey. These systems were acquired in russia in the 1990s.
As it turned out, Greece is ready to give Ukraine its S-300 systems only in exchange for American MIM-104 Patriot surface-to-air missile systems. And here several points arise at once.
First of all, if the United States or another country has conditionally "extra" Patriot systems, why not transfer them directly to Ukraine? Especially since Ukraine needs such SAM systems to shoot down russian ballistic missiles (one of which attacked Odesa during the Greek Prime Minister's visit). They are also needed to destroy russian tactical aircraft along the frontline.
The second point is that Greece already has a large number of Patriot SAM systems. According to the Military Balance 2023, 36 systems consolidated into 6 battalions are within the Hellenic Armed Forces.
Moreover, the United States or other countries may not have "extra" Patriot systems, which makes the exchange and delivery of Greek S-300s problematic for Ukraine.
According to Ekathimerini, some Greek officials continue to oppose the transfer of S-300 systems to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, saying that contacts between Ukraine and Turkey, in particular in the diplomatic sphere, contradict the strategic interests of Greece.
Earlier Defense Express reported about how the M114A1 howitzers that Greece was going to send to Ukraine could help on battlefield.
Read more: EU Approves New €500 Million Tranche for the ASAP Program to Make More Ammunition for Ukraine
