An air defense system operated by Greek military personnel in Saudi Arabia intercepted a swarm of drones on Thursday in the wider Yanbu region, home to major oil refining facilities, Greek security sources told Reuters.
It was the third time the Greek-operated system has been used in combat since the US-Israeli war on Iran began, underscoring the widening military role of European allies in defending Gulf energy infrastructure.
"The battery engaged the drones in coordination with Saudi air defense systems," one of the sources said, adding that the Greek Patriot system launched three missiles, without detailing the number of drones downed or their origin.
US Patriot air defenses operated by Greeks in Saudi Arabia, Cyprus
A second source confirmed the information.
Greece has deployed a US-made Patriot air defense battery, operated by Greek personnel, in Saudi Arabia since 2021 under an agreement to help protect the kingdom's energy facilities.
Greece has Patriot air defenses deployed in various locations. On Sunday, Greek newspaper Kathimerini reported that Greece moved a Patriot air defense battery to Crete following threats by senior Iranian officials against US bases in Europe.
Greece’s Defense Ministry and armed forces remain on heightened alert as officials assess the potential threat to critical infrastructure and military facilities as tensions rise with Iran, Kathimerini added.
In addition to defenses in Saudi Arabia, Athens is in contact with the US and Israel over potential threats to military bases in Greece and Cyprus.
Esther Davis and Maariv - Online contributed to this report.