France makes military request to Greece – media — RT World News
Paris is reportedly seeking to use Greece's Crotale air defense system during the Summer Olympics
The French government has made an official request to borrow an air defense system from Greece for the duration of the Paris Olympics, Greek newspaper Kathimerini reported, citing informed sources.
France is calling on its international allies to help enhance security during the Summer Games, which will be held from July 26 to August 11. It is expected that about 45,000 French police and gendarmerie personnel, 18,000 soldiers, and up to 22,000 private security guards will work in the stadium. It happened.
A request has been submitted for the transfer of the Crotal short-range surface-to-air missile system from the Hellenic Air Force, Kathimerini newspaper reported on Thursday. The newspaper said that diplomatic talks on the transfer began last November without any developments so far.
The Crotale system is a French-made system that has been used by the Hellenic Air Force since 2003. It has a firing range of 11-20 kilometers and a maximum engagement altitude of 6 kilometers, which Kathimerini said was ideal. “ideal” For the needs of France.
According to the outlet's sources, France insists that while it intends to provide anti-aircraft systems to Ukraine, it needs allied help to ensure the defense of critical infrastructure in Paris during the Olympics.
The French request to Greece is “It is clearly another very indirect proposal for Athens to ‘open up’ part of its anti-aircraft defence, as part of the overall European effort to strengthen Kiev.” Kathimerini wrote.
European Union governments are under increasing pressure to provide Kiev with more protection systems, especially countries such as Greece and Spain that have such systems in their arsenals.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said late Thursday that his country cannot provide its own air defense systems – which include Patriot missiles and the S-300 system – to Ukraine. “We were asked and explained why we couldn't do it.” Mitsotakis told Sky TV, adding that these systems “Critical to our deterrence ability.”
“We have already provided concrete assistance to Ukraine and its people,” he added. He added that no action would be taken “This may jeopardize our country's deterrence or air defense capabilities, even from afar.”
According to a report by the Financial Times, European leaders during a summit held in Brussels last week personally urged Mitsotakis and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to provide Ukraine with air defense systems.
The United States is expected to put more pressure on Greece on Friday during a planned conference call on aid to Ukraine.
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