Greece’s main opposition party slams plan to replace Russian-made weapons with US equivalents

ANKARA (AA) – Greece’s main opposition party has slammed plans to replace the country’s Russian-made weapons with US counterparts, the pro-government Kathimerini daily reported.

The plans, which particularly concern the S-300 and SA-15 air defense systems, risk creating more gaps in the country’s defenses at a critical time, said SYRIZA-PS in a statement.

Referring to a swap deal with Germany, according to which Greece was provided with Marder 1A3 armored vehicles for transferring Russian-made BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine, the statement stressed that the deal weakened the country’s defensive capabilities in the Aegean islands.

BMP-1s were withdrawn from the island and new Marders were deployed to the northeastern Evros (Meric) region bordering Türkiye, it said.

The statement drew attention that air defense systems are currently in high demand, and thus it would not be easy and swift to replace Russian-made air defense systems if they are to be sent to Ukraine as proposed by the US.

Blaming the conservative Nea Dimokratia (ND) government for being on the verge of making “another unnecessary arms purchase,” the party asked whether the government is guided by the country’s needs or the aspirations of other countries.

Greece already operates US-made Patriot and Hawk air, Russian-made S-300 and SA-15, and French-made Crotale air defense systems.