A Patriot missile battery stationed on the Greek island of Karpathos will remain on the Aegean outpost until the airport has been upgraded to accommodate the long-term parking of the Air Force fighter jets that will replace them, Defense Ministry sources told Kathimerini.
The US-made missile system had been deployed to the island, and a second in Didymoteicho, on the northeastern land border, at the start of this year’s US and Israeli attacks on Iran to provide protection from a possible ballistic threat to the southeastern wing of NATO and cover fellow NATO member Bulgaria.
On May 18, the Government Council on National Security, or KYSEA, chaired by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, announced it would withdraw both US-made missile systems, citing a “change in geopolitical conditions.”
But at present, no specific timetable has been drawn up for the return of the battery from the island, as work has yet to begin on the Karpathos airport upgrade. the same sources said. “The work will begin when the specific order is given,” the sources said, without providing a possible completion time.
In addition, the ministry will have to organize the transfer of the Patriot anti-aircraft battery by sea to its area of responsibility.
