The Greek government has decided to deploy a MIM-104 Patriot air defence missile system on the island of Karapathos, following an attack by Iranian-origin drones on a British base in Cyprus, according to several local media outlets. This action is part of a reinforcement of Greece’s air defence, according to sources from the Armed Forces. The British base at Akrotiri was targeted by a drone attack that had launched from Lebanon, where the Shia group Hezbollah operates. Karapathos is one of the Greek islands closest to the Middle East, located approximately 550 kilometres west of Cyprus. The US Patriot systems are a mobile air defence system capable of engaging at a maximum range of around 150 kilometres, able to intercept combat aircraft, drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles, as well as being capable of attacking up to nine targets at the same time. Greece has deployed four F-16 fighter jets to Cyprus to strengthen the island’s air security. The Greek frigates ‘Psara’ and ‘Cimón’ are expected to arrive in Cyprus tomorrow. This warship is equipped with Aster-30 air defence missiles, while the ‘Psara’ has a C-UAS anti-drone system that has been used in operations in the Red Sea.
Greece installs anti-aircraft missiles on the island of Karapathos following the attack by Hezbollah on Cyprus.
