Greece's Defense Ministry leadership is expected to raise the future of the Greek Patriot missile battery stationed in Saudi Arabia at the next Government Council for National Security (KYSEA) meeting, according to sources, with officials likely to recommend either its return to Greece or a limited extension without further long-term deployment.
The Greek Patriots have been stationed in Saudi Arabia since 2021 as part of a mission to protect critical infrastructure. Athens must now decide whether to conclude the deployment or extend it for a further limited period.
The issue has resurfaced following the Mecca Agreement between Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, which has reshaped regional dynamics and prompted renewed scrutiny of Greece's military footprint in the Gulf.
Sources close to the Defense Ministry said last week, amid Iranian threats to strike bases in Cyprus and Bulgaria, that KYSEA could also consider returning the Greek Patriot battery to Didymoteicho, in northeastern Greece, and relocating a separate Patriot system from Karpathos to Crete to strengthen protection of the Souda naval base.