TechGreece considers boosting Ukraine's defences with S-300 missile systems
Greece considers boosting Ukraine's defences with S‑300 missile systems
12:44 PM EDT, March 16, 2024
Greek authorities are revising their strategy to support Ukraine by announcing plans to send additional weaponry, potentially including S-300 missile systems. These weapons would significantly bolster the Ukrainian army in its conflict with Russian forces.
Despite Greece being a firm ally of Ukraine, the notion of transferring S-300 missile systems had previously been dismissed. However, the context shifted following the events of March 6th, when a Russian missile attack occurred during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's meeting with the Greek Prime Minister in Odessa, with a missile landing near the Greek delegation.
Could Greek S-300s be heading to Ukraine?
Subsequent reports indicated Greece's intention to supply Ukraine with more anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles, along with several dozen M114A1 howitzers. This rekindled the debate about sending S-300 missile systems.
"The change in the national media's tone regarding this possibility is noteworthy," commented George Tzogopoulos, a senior fellow at the Centre International de Formation Européenne, in a Business Insider interview.
Discussions about several launchers and hundreds of missiles are ongoing. There's speculation that in return, Greece might receive American Patriot systems.
"The Odessa incident deeply impacted the Greek delegation. However, strategic decisions are based on broader considerations. Greece's strategic relationship with the USA is paramount, which might explain the evolving media discourse on the S-300 transfer to Ukraine," Tzogopoulos elaborated.
About the S-300 missile systems
The S-300 is a sophisticated long-range surface-to-air missile system, developed in the late 1960s. Despite having a successor, it remains a formidable asset in warfare, as the ongoing conflict in Ukraine demonstrates. Notably, Greece is believed to possess the advanced S-300PMU-1 variants.
The system can target objects up to 124 miles away and at altitudes exceeding 88,000 feet. The S-300 missiles carry large fragmentation-blast warheads, some weighing as much as 396 pounds, delivering substantial destructive power. Once launched, the missiles can travel at speeds up to 4921 ft/s.
Enhanced radars and compatibility with a broader range of missiles distinguish the S-300PMU-1 variants, indicating their strategic value on the battlefield.
