\n<\/p>\n
According to sources cited by Kathimerini, the battery, along with its personnel and equipment, was transferred overnight and is expected to be deployed near the Souda military base.<\/p>\n
The move comes after senior Iranian officials issued threats against US military bases in Europe. Greece\u2019s Defense Ministry and armed forces remain on heightened alert as authorities assess potential risks to critical infrastructure and military installations.<\/p>\n
Allied intelligence assessments indicate that Iran continues to possess a significant number of ballistic missiles with reported ranges of more than 2,000 kilometers. Such capabilities could potentially place targets in southeastern Europe within reach.<\/p>\n
The Patriot system had been stationed on Karpathos since March as part of Greece\u2019s efforts to strengthen its defenses against ballistic missile threats.<\/p>\n
Athens is also maintaining contact with the United States and Israel regarding potential threats to Greek and Cypriot military facilities and other strategic sites. Greece is additionally considering providing air defense assistance to Bulgaria if Sofia formally requests support.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Greek authorities are reviewing the future of the country\u2019s Patriot deployment in Saudi Arabia. The Greek unit has been stationed there since September 2021, where it has participated in the protection of Saudi infrastructure and intercepted ballistic missiles and drones.<\/p>\n
The relocation to Crete highlights Greece\u2019s efforts to reinforce the protection of key military and strategic facilities as regional tensions continue to escalate.<\/p>\n