Greece Ready to Deploy Patriot Missiles to Protect Bulgaria From Iran

Greece is prepared to help defend Bulgarian airspace if Iran carries out an attack on US military facilities in Southeast Europe, according to Greek media reports citing sources from the Greek Defense Ministry.

Athens is considering deploying a Patriot air defense system near the Bulgarian border if Sofia requests assistance. The possible location is Didymoticho in northeastern Greece, close to Bulgaria. Greek sources stressed that any deployment would depend on a formal request from the Bulgarian side and would ultimately be a political decision by Athens.

The issue has gained attention in Bulgaria following Iranian threats against US military facilities in the region and Sofia's decision to allow American tanker aircraft to use Bezmer Air Base.

Greek authorities are reportedly examining several possible responses to the threats. One scenario would involve moving the Patriot system currently positioned on the island of Karpathos to Crete, where it could help protect the US Souda Bay air base.

Greece is also maintaining additional military assets for the protection of Cyprus. Four Greek F-16 fighter jets and the Greek Navy frigate Phokas remain deployed there.

The possible return of a Greek Patriot system to northern Greece would revive an arrangement discussed earlier this year. In March, then-acting Bulgarian Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov asked Greece for personnel and resources to strengthen Bulgaria's air defense. Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias subsequently announced that a Patriot battery would be moved to northern Greece to provide anti-ballistic protection for a large part of Bulgarian territory.

Two Greek F-16 fighter jets were also sent to an airport in northern Greece with the specific mission of providing additional air coverage for Bulgaria. The Patriot battery was later confirmed to be stationed in the same area now being considered again.

However, in mid-May, Greece's National Security Council decided to withdraw the Patriot system from the border area.

The renewed discussion comes as Athens assesses the potential regional consequences of Iranian threats against US facilities. For Bulgaria, the focus remains on the security of military infrastructure being used by the United States, including Bezmer, and on whether additional air defense support could be requested from its southern neighbor.