Media: Greece to supply Armenia with S-300 air defence systems

Greece is set to transfer its S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems, along with the TOR-M1 and Osa-AKM surface-to-air missile systems, to Armenia.

These Russian-made systems were previously part of Greece's air defence arsenal, Caliber.Az reports via the Greek news portal enikos.gr.

According to the portal, the transfer is part of a broader effort to modernise Greece's military capabilities, with these systems being replaced by Israeli-made alternatives.

The decision is driven by Greece's determination to continue the process of "derussification" within its armed forces, alongside a commitment to significantly upgrade older equipment with newer Western technologies.

Strategically, the transfer is seen as a key move by Greece, reinforcing its long-standing alliance with Armenia. This shift in military support comes amidst ongoing regional tensions and reflects shared historical ties between the two nations, offering a closer relationship in contrast to Greece’s previous support for Ukraine.

Meanwhile, India commenced the delivery of its indigenously developed Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launchers (MBRL) to Armenia, marking a significant step in expanding its defence exports. According to defence sources, the first batch of Pinaka systems has already been supplied to Armenia, coinciding with the delivery of the Akash air defence missile system to the country.

The Pinaka rocket launchers, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), are known for their high capability, with variants capable of striking targets over 80 kilometres.

The contract for these supplies was finalised two years ago following extensive negotiations. Armenia is one of the largest buyers of Indian defence equipment, along with the United States and France.

"Armenia is one of three largest buyers of Indian weapons and equipment along with the US and France," sources said.

The Pinaka systems have attracted growing interest globally, with several countries from Southeast Asia and Europe expressing a desire to acquire them. The Indian Army is also in the process of inducting more Pinaka variants.

Recently, the DRDO conducted successful tests of the guided Pinaka rockets, which are manufactured by Solar Industry's Economic Explosives Limited and Munitions India Limited.

France has also shown interest in acquiring the Pinaka, with discussions on the matter taking place during a visit by India's Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Anil Chauhan, earlier this year.

India has made significant strides in promoting its indigenous defence systems abroad, achieving notable success since 2014. France, in particular, remains one of the largest importers of Indian defence equipment, particularly electronics.

By Aghakazim Guliyev