Greece will continue to station its Patriot missile battery in Saudi Arabia following a bilateral agreement between Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The decision was made during a meeting in Riyadh, where Mitsotakis confirmed Greece’s commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia’s air defense upon the Kingdom’s request.
Deployed since 2021, the Greek missile battery has played a crucial role in intercepting drones and missiles launched by Houthi forces targeting key Saudi energy infrastructure, including facilities in Yanbu. Mitsotakis reiterated Greece’s support for Saudi Arabia’s security and condemned the attacks against the Kingdom.
In addition to defense cooperation, both leaders emphasized their strategic partnership and explored opportunities for expanded collaboration in areas such as energy and connectivity. Discussions also touched on regional security matters, particularly concerning Iran and the necessity of safeguarding freedom of navigation to ensure the continuity of global trade.
The leaders reviewed progress on the East to Med Data Corridor project, which aims to enhance digital connectivity between Europe and Asia through Greece and Saudi Arabia. Preparations for the next meeting of the Greece-Saudi Arabia Supreme Council for Strategic Cooperation were also discussed, with both sides assessing advancements since the council’s inaugural session in January 2025.