Greek Patriot missiles in Saudi Arabia intercepted and shot down two Iranian ballistic missiles on Thursday morning, the the Hellenic National Defense General Staff announced:
It is recalled that the Greek Patriot battery participates in the mission of the international initiative “Integrated Air Missile Defense (IAMD) Concept” to support the air defense of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia since 2020.
“In the morning hours of Thursday, March 19, 2026, the PATRIOT Guided Missile Artillery of the Hellenic Force in Saudi Arabia (ELDYSA), launched 2 missiles and shot down 2 ballistic missile targets respectively, in accordance with the applicable Rules of Engagement. The Force continues its mission normally,” the General Staff said in its statement.
It added that the framework of its participation in the mission of the international initiative “Integrated Air Missile Defense (IAMD) Concept” to support the air defense of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The IAMD program involves the US, Britain and France.
Dozens members of the Hellenic Air Force have been posted in Saudi Arabia for as long as the missiles are operational.
National Defense Minister, Nikos Dendias, spoke about the success of the Greek military forces, and specifically of ELDYSA, saying characteristically that the Greek Patriot array shot down two Iranian ballistic missiles that had targeted refineries in Saudi Arabia:
“In this way, ELDYSA demonstrated how worthy of combat it is and what experience it has gained during all this time that it has been deployed there. Also, it indirectly protects national and European interests since it protects the standard of living of our citizens from the constant increase in the price of oil, the creation of inflation and high prices, which constitute a threat.
By protecting refineries and other strategic infrastructure, the Greek force in Saudi Arabia with the Patriots shows how important it is, Dendias said and congratulated the Air Force for this success.”
Greece is very foolish to be involved with other countries’ defence. The fact that the two countries involved are the USA, France and the UK tells you that this is a Great Power game. Greece is not a great power: it is a small country with a poor economy and a history of disastrous military adventures, mostly involving Turkey.