Greece test fires Patriot PAC-3

Cyprus Weekly reports –

Greece has successfully test fired its first domestic-built Patriot missile from the Cania proving range in northern Crete. The missile is reported to have hit its target.

The Hellenic Patriot is being developed by 8 Greek companies with assistance from Raytheon USA. Greece currently has 3 Patriot PAC-2 systems and is in the process of acquiring 4 Patriot PAC-3 systems.

Greece also operates the S-300PMU1 TMD, since a missile battalion was transferred to Crete from Cyprus in 1999. Greece is the only country in the world to utilise both Patriot and Grumble technology.

Deployment of the new Patriots is still unclear at this time, but is likely to be used in defence of major air and naval assets in the Aegean.