Greece will maintain its Patriot missile battery in Saudi Arabia following an agreement between Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The decision was announced during a meeting in Riyadh, where both leaders reaffirmed Greece’s commitment to bolstering Saudi Arabia’s air defense capabilities.
The Greek missile battery, which has been stationed in Saudi Arabia since 2021, has played a crucial role in intercepting Houthi drones and missiles aimed at Saudi energy infrastructure, particularly in Yanbu and other strategic locations. Mitsotakis underscored Greece’s support for the Kingdom by condemning attacks against Saudi Arabia and expressing ongoing solidarity with its security efforts.
Additionally, the two leaders discussed their countries’ strategic partnership and explored avenues for expanding cooperation in defense, energy, and digital connectivity. A key focus of their discussions included regional security matters, with particular attention to developments involving Iran and the safeguarding of international shipping routes, which are vital for global trade.
The meeting also provided an opportunity to review the East to Med Data Corridor initiative, which seeks to enhance digital connectivity between Europe and Asia through Greece and Saudi Arabia. They discussed preparations for the upcoming meeting of the Greece-Saudi Arabia Supreme Council for Strategic Cooperation and evaluated the progress made since its first session in January 2025.