In a significant shift of military strategy, Greece has opted to provide outdated air defense systems to Armenia, a nation with close ties to Russia, amid ongoing discussions regarding military support for Ukraine. According to reports from Greek media, the General Staff of the Greek Armed Forces is in the process of finalizing the transfer of several Soviet-era anti-aircraft systems, including the S-300PMU1, Tor-M1, and Osa-AK, to Yerevan.
This decision is a notable aspect of Greece’s broader initiative to “de-Russify” its military inventory. As Greece prepares to phase out these older air defense systems, it is simultaneously poised to introduce modern equipment manufactured in Israel. The move aims to enhance Greece’s defense capabilities while distancing itself from reliance on Russian military technology.
Armenia was chosen as the recipient of the obsolete systems due to its familiarity with Russian-origin weaponry. The country possesses considerable experience in operating and maintaining these types of systems, along with access to essential spare parts necessary for their upkeep. Although these Soviet-era systems are regarded as outdated, they still hold operational value, capable of engaging targets within a strike range of up to 200 kilometers (approximately 124 miles) and tracking as many as 100 targets concurrently.
The decision to divert the transfer from Ukraine to Armenia indicates a change in strategic plans. Initially, Greece intended to provide these older air defense systems to Ukraine in exchange for a US-made PAC-3 Patriot missile system. However, those plans encountered obstacles due to a perceived lack of interest from Western nations in compensating Greece for the logistics and costs associated with the transfer. Additionally, reports suggest that the Ukrainian government has since shifted its focus away from acquiring these outdated systems, particularly following the influx of more advanced Western military equipment.
As Greece pivots towards enhancing its military capabilities with Israeli defense technologies, including the David’s Sling, Barak MX, and Spyder systems, this decision reflects the changing dynamics of defense support in the region and highlights Greece’s commitment to modernizing its military forces. The transfer of air defense systems to Armenia marks a noteworthy moment in the context of regional security collaborations and the ongoing geopolitical tensions involving Russian influence.
