National Defense Minister Nikos Dendias announced on Friday that Greece will deploy a battery of Patriot missiles and two F-16 fighter jets in northern Greece for the air defense of Bulgaria in case of an attack from the Iran.
The deployment follows a request by Bulgarian Defense Minister, Atanas Zapryanov.
“Following a relevant request from the Bulgarian side, I was able to inform him today that Greece will provide means and personnel for the protection of Bulgaria.”
Dendias dais that “following a decision by the Government Council on National Security, a PATRIOT missile battery is being transferred, within the next few hours, to a suitable area, within the northern part of Greek territory, for the anti-ballistic coverage of a large part of the territory of Bulgaria.”
He added “also, a pair of F-16s are being relocated to an airport in Northern Greece, with the exclusive mission of providing additional coverage to Bulgaria.”
Dendias pointed out that “in addition, for effective coordination, two senior Air Force officers are being sent to the Operations Center of the Bulgarian Armed Forces in Sofia,” he pointed out.
“I want to make it clear,” Dendias said, “ the above actions were taken at the request of Bulgaria, a member state of NATO and the European Union, and the ability to provide anti-ballistic protection to Greek territory is not affected in the slightest.”
The Greek Defense Minister said in addition that he will be visiting Sofia next week.”
Beginning of the week, Greece deployed four F-16a and two frigates to Cyprus.
PS Some Greeks on social media point out at the US base in Alexandroupolis also in northern Greece.
But these are the usual “mean Greeks.”
