Media reports that Greece will give Ukraine US missiles from the Cold War
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- Alisa Melik-Adamian
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2:34, 29 December, 2024
Greece plans to transfer 24 Sea Sparrow anti-aircraft missiles from its military arsenal to Ukraine, which are no longer used by its navy and air force.
This is what was written by Kathimerini.
It is noted that the Sea Sparrow has been in service with the Greek armed forces for almost 40 years.
The provided batch of missiles is close to the end of its shelf life and cannot be used in the foreseeable future, so the transfer of missiles will not weaken the Greek armed forces, the publication explains.
However, the decision still needs to be approved by the Government's Foreign Affairs and Defence Council.
Kathimerini notes that for Greece, the transfer of Sea Sparrow missiles to Ukraine is also an indirect but clear response to pressure from allies and partners who urged Athens to provide Ukraine with S-300 or even Patriot missile systems.
Instead, Greece has repeatedly refused to do so, as it expected to receive equivalent weapons instead.
As a reminder, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken assured NATO and the Ukrainian side that the $61 billion in funding for Ukraine approved by Congress would be fully utilised.