Greece will continue to support Saudi Arabia’s air defense by maintaining its Patriot missile battery in the Kingdom, following an agreement between Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This decision was made during a meeting in Riyadh, where both leaders emphasized their commitment to regional security and their strategic partnership.
The Greek Patriot missile battery, which has been stationed in Saudi Arabia since 2021, has played a crucial role in intercepting Houthi drones and missiles aimed at Saudi energy infrastructure, particularly in areas like Yanbu. Mitsotakis reiterated Greece’s stance against attacks on Saudi Arabia and expressed ongoing support for the country’s security measures.
Beyond air defense, the discussions between Mitsotakis and the Crown Prince also covered a range of cooperation areas, including defense, energy, and digital connectivity. The leaders reviewed the East to Med Data Corridor project, highlighting its potential to enhance digital connections between Europe and Asia through Greece and Saudi Arabia. They also evaluated the progress made since the inaugural session of the Greece-Saudi Arabia Supreme Council for Strategic Cooperation held in January 2025.
Regional security issues were a significant part of their dialogue, particularly concerning developments involving Iran. Both leaders underscored the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation to protect global trade routes, stressing the need to keep international shipping lanes open and secure.
This meeting between Greece and Saudi Arabia signifies a strengthening of their bilateral relations, with both nations reaffirming their strategic partnership and shared goals in various sectors. The continued deployment of the Greek Patriot missile battery underscores Greece’s commitment to contributing to the stability and security of the region.