Greece is urgently deploying a Patriot anti-missile battery and F-16 fighter jets to its northern border to shield neighboring Bulgaria from potential ballistic missile threats stemming from the escalating war in Iran, officials announced.
Defense Minister Nikos Dendias confirmed the rapid deployment after receiving a formal assistance request from Bulgarian Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov.
Mr. Dendias said that the mobilization, swiftly approved by Greece’s Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defense (KYSEA), highlights the growing alarm across southeastern Europe regarding the Middle East conflict's expanding reach.
"Following a request made yesterday by the Bulgarian side, I was able to inform him today that Greece will provide assets and personnel for the protection of Bulgaria," Mr. Dendias said.
Within hours, the Patriot battery will relocate to a strategic site in northern Greece, providing critical anti-ballistic coverage across a large portion of Bulgarian territory.
Additionally, a pair of F-16 fighter jets will be transferred to a northern Greek airfield with the specific mission of reinforcing Sofia's aerial defense umbrella.
To streamline joint operations, two senior Hellenic Air Force officers are deploying to the Bulgarian armed forces' operations center in Sofia.
Mr. Dendias emphasized that assisting a fellow NATO and European Union member will not compromise Greece’s own domestic air defense grid.
The Greek defense chief is scheduled to travel to Sofia next week to further solidify the bilateral security pact as the regional crisis intensifies.