RPGs, assault rifles, missiles. How Athens supports the Ukrainian army

By supplying machine guns, RPGs and unguided rockets, Greece has already entered a long list of countries that have provided military support to Ukraine. This support is not too conspicuous, but nevertheless, taken together, this is a significant contribution to the victory of the Ukrainians.

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To date, almost all EU and NATO member countries have provided military support to Ukraine in its fight against the Russian army to one degree or another. Although the donation of the S-300PMU SAM battery by Slovakia and the US and UK supply of Javelin and NLAW ATGMs attracted the most public attention, many other countries also contributed.

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One of these countries was Greece, which pledged to provide military assistance to Ukraine on February 27. The aid included 20,000 Kalashnikov assault rifles, 815 disposable RPG-18 rocket launchers and an unknown number of 122mm unguided rockets. Shortly thereafter, at least two planes with weapons and ammunition were sent to Ukraine, so these weapons are already being used against Russian troops.

Focus translated new analysis analysts Stein Mitzer and Jost Olimans, authors of the military blog Oryx, dedicated to the supply of Greek weapons for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Greek friends. How Hellas supports the Ukrainian army

Since then, Greece has been repeatedly mentioned as a possible source of additional weapons systems for the Ukrainian army.

In particular, Greece has a huge arsenal of Soviet-made weapons with which Ukrainian forces are already familiar (unlike most Western types of weapons currently supplied). Among them are the S-300PMU-1, Tor-M1 and 9K33 Osa air defense systems, as well as multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS), armored combat vehicles (AFVs) and other equipment. Undoubtedly, for this reason, the United States viewed Greece as a potential source of Soviet weapons that could immediately enter service.

Similar plans were made for Cyprus regarding the supply of Buk-M1 and Tor-M1 air defense systems. However, in early April, the Greek government officially refused to supply such weapons on the grounds that it endangered the country’s own defense capability, and later confirmed no intention to send additional military equipment to Ukraine.

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While the Greek government’s statements must have disappointed Ukraine, which has few other options for acquiring more long-range Tor and Buk-type air defense systems, Greece risks seriously weakening its position against Turkey by losing modern weapons like Osa and Tor-M1. The United States promised to pay compensation to countries that decide to supply Ukraine with high-quality weapons, or to temporarily deploy American weapons in these countries. But in fact, very few Western systems can replace those currently used in Greece. The Greek military would not be able to afford to purchase new systems due to limited funding, and the supply of spare systems from the United States can be expected to arouse fierce objections from Turkey.

Greece is the only NATO country operating the Tor air defense system. However, Poland, Bulgaria and Romania also have a significant number of 9K33 Osa systems and therefore are more reasonable sources of such weapons.

In particular, the S-300PMU-1 represents one of Greece’s most valuable assets (at least on paper). S-300PMU-1, which Greece received from Cyprus as a result of the Cyprus missile crisis in the late 1990s, are towed by KrAZ-260B semi-trailers, in contrast to the heavier tracked vehicles or MAZ-543M trucks, which are often used in conjunction with S- 300. Deployment of the PMU-1 radar systems alone can take up to two hours, greatly reducing their tactical mobility and exposing these systems to threats from Russian UAVs. Ukraine has already seen this from its own experience, having lost in the first days of the war 12 5P851A semi-trailer launchers used with the S-300PT air defense system.

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Greek battery S-300PMU-1, currently located on the island of Crete

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Although deliveries of around 20,000 Kalashnikov assault rifles, 815 RPG-18s and 122mm unguided rockets for the BM-21 or RM-70 MLRS fall short of deliveries of heavier weapons, these weapons are still of some interest. For example, the story of how Greece received 20,000 AKs is intriguing to say the least.

Under the pre-Maidan government of Yanukovych, Ukraine sought to capitalize on shady arms deals, not particularly interested in buyers. When the Greek authorities received information that the Sierra Leone-flagged ship Nur-M to Turkey was in fact carrying weapons destined for Syria or Libya, it is not known which side in those countries the weapons were destined for. . Therefore, an anonymous Ukrainian official said that none other than Russia blabbed about the deal.

A shipment of 56 containers of weapons, including 20,000 AKs, was until recently under arrest in Greece. Thus, having prevented Ukraine from exporting these weapons, Greece returned them to Ukraine, where they are used in the war against the Russian army instead of endless civil wars in the countries of the Middle East and North Africa. Ten years ago, no one could have imagined such a thing.

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In addition to various types of Russian air defense systems, Greece also has a diverse arsenal of other Soviet-made weapons systems, including upgraded BMP-1A1 Ost infantry fighting vehicles, over a hundred 122-mm RM-70 MLRS, 9M111 Fagot anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) and 9M133 “Kornet”, as well as ZU-23 guns. All ATGMs, except for the Kornet, were obtained from the stocks of the former GDR, which means that Greece will have to request Germany’s permission to transfer them to Ukraine. Since Ukraine has already received a significant number of BMP-1s from Poland and the Czech Republic, as well as hundreds of armored personnel carriers from several other countries, the German approval will not be the biggest obstacle, but this supply may be considered excessive.

The decision of the Greek government not to supply additional weapons, including air defense systems, will undoubtedly disappoint Ukraine. However, this is quite expected, given the whole context of the situation. By supplying machine guns, RPGs and unguided rockets, Greece has already entered a long list of countries that have provided military support to Ukraine. This support does not attract too much public attention, but together will make a significant contribution to the cause of Ukrainians.