Athens moves Patriot missile defence to cover part of Bulgaria

Greece will deploy a Patriot air defence system and fighter jets to its northern region in order to help strengthen Bulgaria’s protection against potential missile threats from Iran, Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias said.

Speaking on television, Dendias announced that a Patriot missile battery would be moved within hours to northern Greece to provide anti-ballistic missile coverage over a significant portion of Bulgaria’s territory as the war in the Middle East intensifies.

“A Patriot missile battery will be transferred in the coming hours … to the north of Greece to ensure anti-ballistic coverage for a large part of Bulgarian territory,” Dendias said.

He also said Athens plans to deploy two F-16 fighter jets as part of the effort to reinforce defensive capabilities in the area.

According to the Greek defence minister, Greece is prepared to offer “all possible assistance for Bulgaria's ballistic missile defence against Iran.” However, he did not provide further details regarding the nature of the potential threat from Iran.

By Tamilla Hasanova