ATHENS, Greece (PNN) - April 15, 2015 - Just days after Russia lifted sanctions on providing anti-aircraft missiles to Iran, Greece is in talks with Russia to purchase missiles for the S-300 defense system.
Greece, a NATO member, has been in possession of the advanced Russian-made systems since the late 1990s, and in a defiant show of independence towards Troika, is now negotiating with Russia for the purchase of additional missiles and for their maintenance.
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras visited Moscow last week, where he won pledges of Russian moral support and long-term cooperation but no fresh funds to help avert bankruptcy for his heavily indebted nation.
Greece has been in possession of the Russian-made S-300 air defense systems since the late 1990s
"We are limiting ourselves to replacement of missiles (for the systems)," RIA quoted Kammenos, who is in Moscow for a security conference.
The Greek defense ministry in Athens later issued a statement quoting Kammenos as saying, "The existing defense cooperation programs will continue. There will be maintenance for the existing programs."
Perhaps, given the call for an EU army, Greece is deciding it needs to strengthen its defenses from its Union counterparts?