Defence & Security News - Greece

Armed forces of Greece test-fired a Russian-made S-300 air defense system on Friday, December 13, 2013, for the first time since it was bought 14 years ago. This was the first test of the missile system conducted by a NATO member. Part of a military exercise of the Greek armed forces, code-named ‘White Eagle 2013’, the test was attended by Greek Defence Minister Demetris Avramopoulos and his Cypriot counterpart Fotis Fotiou.

Greece is the only NATO member that has an S-300 in service. The system was initially purchased by Cyprus in the mid-1990s, and was later transferred to the Greek island of Crete following objections from Turkey.

The launch was carried out as part of the White Eagle 2013 military exercise and was described as “successful.”

“It may sound paradoxical, but this successful S-300 launch is a message of peace and stability in Southeastern Europe and the eastern Mediterranean,” Greek Defense Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos said in a statement.

“The S-300, one of the most modern defense systems that ensure the efficiency of our country’s air defense, was test-fired after 14 years in service,” he said. “The launch saw immense success.”

The S-300 is a Russian-made surface-to-air defense missile system. The S-300 was first deployed by the Soviet Union in 1979, designed for the air defence of large industrial and administrative facilities, military bases, and control of airspace against enemy strike aircraft.

Greece has bought 2 batteries of S-300 PMU1 from Russai which consists of 12 launchers.