Greece stands firm against NATO and EU pressure over Ukraine aid

The Greek government has resisted persuasion from NATO and the EU and will not supply Ukraine with any part of its air defence systems. Greek officials argue this would significantly compromise the country's defence capabilities. This article delves into the specifics of the military assets involved in these political discussions.

The "Financial Times" initially reported that NATO and the EU had pressured Spain and Greece to donate part of their air defence systems to Ukraine. Spain has partially acquiesced by agreeing to send another batch of missiles for the Patriot system. Greece, however, has not altered its position.

"We were asked for such assistance, but we've already explained why we cannot comply. These systems are crucial for our deterrent capabilities," stated Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

The Greek government's stance has been met with disappointment not only in Ukraine but also across most NATO member countries. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said, "I cannot understand such an attitude." Germany has played a significant role in supporting Ukraine, one of the nations that sent Patriot systems and missiles to the front. It's worth noting that Germany also maintains a firm stance on not providing Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine.

Ukraine was expected to receive Patriot batteries equipped with an AN/MPQ-53 radar system, capable of detecting targets up to approximately 168 kilometres away. As for the missiles, the PAC-2 GEM-T, which has a range of around 159 kilometres, and the shorter-range PAC-3 CRI were designed to be deployed against Russian forces. The latter features kinetic warheads and is capable of intercepting ballistic targets.

In discussions about Greece's potential contributions, attention was not solely on the Patriot systems but also on the older S-300 systems. These are Soviet and Russian-manufactured anti-aircraft systems also used in Ukraine by both conflict parties. Despite their age, they are still highly valued.

The S-300 systems can target objects up to approximately 200 kilometres away and at altitudes exceeding 27 kilometres. Missiles for the S-300 system are equipped with large fragmentation-blast warheads, some of which weigh around 180 kilograms. They can reach speeds of up to 7920 kilometres per hour upon launch. A significant feature of this system is its dedicated radar, capable of tracking up to 100 targets simultaneously.