Greece may hand over Russian air defense systems to Armenia – Enikos

YEREVAN, November 26. /ARKA/. Greece is preparing to transfer the S-300 and two other Russian-made air defense systems, previously used by the country, to Armenia. In exchange, Greece plans to replace them with Israeli-made systems, Russian TASS reports, citing the Greek portal Enikos.

According to it, the leadership of the Greek Armed Forces is determined to withdraw Russian weapons systems from Greece's military arsenal and replace the old systems with new Western technologies.

According to the portal, "The General Staff of Greece's National Defense is at an advanced stage of providing Armenia with Russian-made weapons systems." The portal notes that "it was previously assumed these systems could be transferred to Ukraine, but the General Staff is now considering other, equally advantageous alternatives.

According to available information, strengthening Armenia's defense is not solely a Greek initiative but a result of cooperation with France, which will also contribute to arming the country, the publication adds. For Athens, strengthening Yerevan instead of Kiev is a strategic choice for many reasons, the portal continues.

First of all, due to very close allied ties, shared efforts in recent history, and common religious beliefs. Additionally, a strong Armenia would serve as a counterbalance to the irreconcilable Turkey, which openly strengthens Azerbaijan, according to the portal.

According to it, the Israeli-made anti-aircraft systems set to replace the Russian systems in Greece include David's Sling with ballistic missiles ranging up to 300 km, Barak MX with a range of 35 to 150 km, and Spyder with a range of 20 to 50 km.

Exchange for other systems

It also cites sources stating that Greece "does not intend to give away its weapons systems for free or without replacing them with other systems." The article notes that the General Staff is rejecting the prospect of sending the weapons systems in Greece to Ukraine in exchange for other systems for two reasons.

First, there are no weapons systems available for exchange, as was the case with the 40 German Marder armored personnel carriers that were transferred to Greece in exchange for 40 Soviet-made BMP-1s.

Secondly, NATO and the EU have provided Ukraine with Western-made weapons, and now the Ukrainians prefer American and European weapon systems, for which they have a supply chain of spare parts, over older Russian-made systems. The weapons systems being considered for transfer to Armenia are primarily anti-aircraft systems, currently in service with the ground forces and the air force. These include the S-300 air defense system, as well as the ground forces' anti-aircraft systems—TOR-M1 and Osa-AKM, the portal notes. -0-