Greece Activates Patriot System to Protect Bulgaria

The Greek "Patriot" air defense system is already on duty, we have full coverage, the caretaker Minister of Defense Atanas Zapryanov told journalists in parliament. He participated in the meeting of the relevant defense commission.

Atanas Zapryanov explained that the duty began 16 hours after Greece announced that they would provide assistance to Bulgaria. We have carried out the relevant preparations of our air defense (PVO) system, he said. Our PVO troops are very well prepared and they are also participating, Zapryanov said. He added that this is not being done because there is a direct military threat to Bulgaria. We must take measures for potential threats as well. We are upgrading the existing system in peacetime with some increased duties, nothing more, the minister commented.

Greece assured Bulgaria that it will provide assistance for the anti-missile defense of our country with air defense assets and military personnel, the Ministry of Defense announced on March 6. On the same day, the Minister of National Defense of Greece Nikos Dendias announced that the country will support Bulgaria with air defense assets and personnel, which will be deployed in Northern Greece and will cover a large part of the Bulgarian territory.

Our military ministry explained that a Greek "Patriot" air defense system will be deployed in an area in Northern Greece, which will provide anti-missile defense of a large part of the territory of Bulgaria. Additionally, two F-16 aircraft will reinforce the protection of Bulgaria's airspace. Two Greek Air Force officers will be seconded to Sofia for coordination with the Bulgarian military command.

There is a ratified agreement between Bulgaria and Greece for cross-border operations. Our aircraft and the Greek ones can patrol together, the minister noted.

Atanas Zapryanov announced that the Greek defense minister will visit Bulgaria tomorrow.

The defense minister said that the presence of American military aircraft at the Sofia airport is permitted until May 31, but he is working on their possible relocation. The idea of the caretaker prime minister is to reduce the load on the Sofia airport, because after April 15 the number of flights increases. This task is not so urgent, but we will work to implement it, Zapryanov explained.

These are bilateral relations between the US and other countries, we have no other requests.

Regarding the possible temporary deployment of American aircraft at the Mihail Kogălniceanu air base near Constanta in Romania, Atanas Zapryanov said that these are bilateral relations and there are no other requests to Bulgaria.