Greece will maintain its Patriot missile battery in Saudi Arabia following an agreement between Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The decision was confirmed during a meeting in Riyadh, where Mitsotakis underscored Greece’s commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia’s air defense capabilities.
Since its deployment in 2021, the Greek Patriot missile system has played a crucial role in intercepting Houthi drones and missiles that targeted Saudi energy infrastructure in locations such as Yanbu. Mitsotakis expressed Greece’s firm stance against attacks on Saudi Arabia and reiterated Athens’ continued support for the Kingdom’s security efforts.
The leaders also took the opportunity to reaffirm their strategic partnership, discussing potential expansions in defense cooperation, energy collaboration, and digital connectivity. They reviewed the East to Med Data Corridor project, which aims to enhance digital connectivity between Europe and Asia through Greece and Saudi Arabia.
Regional security issues were prominent on the agenda, particularly concerning developments involving Iran and the need to protect freedom of navigation. Mitsotakis emphasized the importance of keeping international shipping routes open to secure global trade.
The meeting also included discussions on preparations for the next session of the Greece-Saudi Arabia Supreme Council for Strategic Cooperation, assessing progress since its inaugural meeting in January 2025. This council aims to further solidify the strategic ties between the two nations.