After the U.S. withdrawal of most of its advanced missile defense systems and Patriot batteries from Saudi Arabia in recent weeks, the Kingdom has turned to Greece to supply a Patriot battery and manpower to operate it, according to reports.
The missiles were delivered to Saudi forces at a ceremony at the Tanagra air base north of Athens, where the anti-missile systems were lined up next to the soldiers in photos shared on Twitter by a top Greek general, Konstantinos Floros.
The U.S. has removed its most advanced missile defense system and Patriot batteries from Saudi Arabia in recent weeks, even as the kingdom faced continued air attacks from Yemen’s Houthi rebels, satellite photos analyzed by The Associated Press show.
The removal of the Patriot battery was criticized by Saudi Arabia, with Prince Turki Al-Faisal saying last week that the removal of U.S. batteries from Saudi Arabia was a demonstration of a waning commitment to the Kingdom’s security.
“I think we need to be reassured about American commitment,” the prince, Saudi Arabia’s former intelligence chief, told CNBC’s Hadley Gamble. “That looks like, for example, not withdrawing Patriot missiles from Saudi Arabia at a time when Saudi Arabia is the victim of missile attacks and drone attacks — not just from Yemen, but from Iran,” he said.
The U.S. boosted its military presence in Saudi Arabia in 2019, deploying two Patriot missile artillery batteries following attacks on the country’s oil facilities. In June this year, multiple media outlets reported that the Pentagon decided to draw down air defense assets from the Middle East, including Patriot missile batteries.
The drawdown of U.S. Patriot missile systems from Saudi Arabia comes just days after the U.S. ended its presence in Afghanistan.
Saudi Arabia is looking elsewhere for defense agreements. Last month, the Kingdom signed a defense MOU with Russia that would boost military cooperation between the two nations.
Saudi Arabia is also reportedly looking to acquire Israeli missile defense technology, according to a report.
