Mitsotakis in Saudi Arabia: the Greek Patriot battery stays, with defence, Iran and energy security at the centre

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis confirmed that the Greek Patriot battery will remain in Saudi Arabia, at his meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during a visit to the Kingdom. The two leaders discussed strengthening strategic cooperation, developments in Iran and the Middle East, and the security of energy infrastructure and international shipping.

The Greek prime minister condemned the attacks against Saudi Arabia, expressing Athens’ tangible solidarity at a critical time for regional security.

Particular emphasis was placed on the Greek military presence. Since 2021 Greece has taken part in the Kingdom’s air defence with a Patriot battery (the Hellenic Air Defence Detachment, ELDYSA), helping to protect critical energy installations at Yanbu, on the Red Sea coast. Mitsotakis told the Saudi crown prince that Greece is responding positively to the request to continue the Patriot mission, stressing that the Greek force contributes both to the Kingdom’s security and to the stability of the wider region.

Iran and freedom of navigation

The talks also focused on developments in Iran and the impact of regional instability on maritime transport and international trade. The prime minister repeated that Greece, as a major shipping power, attaches the highest importance to freedom of navigation and the unimpeded operation of international trade routes. He stressed that international law must be respected, warning that restrictions on navigation would set a dangerous precedent, with wider consequences for the global economy and energy security.

Energy, digital links and strategic cooperation

An important part of the meeting was devoted to connectivity and data transfer, with emphasis on the East to Med Data Corridor (EMC) project, which aims to link Europe and Asia via Greece and Saudi Arabia. The project provides for subsea and terrestrial telecommunications infrastructure, strengthening the two countries’ role as strategic hubs in the digital economy. Possibilities for further cooperation in energy and defence were also examined.

The two leaders also discussed the second meeting of the Supreme Strategic Cooperation Council, reviewing progress since the first, in January 2025, which established systematic and institutionalised bilateral cooperation. The meeting confirmed the strategic convergence of Athens and Riyadh, with the Greek presence in Saudi Arabia taking on particular geopolitical significance both for the protection of energy infrastructure and for maintaining regional stability.