Greece has begun supplying anti-aircraft and anti-ballistic munitions to the United Arab Emirates and Qatar under bilateral security arrangements, aiming to bolster defenses of critical infrastructure in the Gulf, officials said.
The assistance to the UAE follows a formal request by Abu Dhabi under a 2020 cooperation agreement on foreign policy and defense. A separate delivery to Qatar was carried out aboard a Qatari transport aircraft, in coordination with U.S. forces at Al Udeid Air Base, according to officials.
Greek authorities said the transfers are strictly defensive in nature.
The 2020 agreement between Greece and the UAE includes a mutual defense assistance clause, providing for consultations and joint measures in case of threats to either country’s security, sovereignty or territorial integrity.
Athens views the pact as strategically important, citing previous support from the UAE, including supplies of components, spare parts and ammunition for Greek naval units and Apache helicopters.
The agreement was ratified by the Greek parliament in late 2020 following talks between Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, at a time of heightened tensions between Greece and Turkey in the eastern Mediterranean.
Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias visited Abu Dhabi this week, meeting senior Emirati officials, including the president and foreign minister, as well as the minister of state for defense affairs.
The current security environment differs significantly from 2020, with the UAE now involved in active conflict. Greek Patriot missile systems deployed in Saudi Arabia as part of a separate mission have been used to help defend energy facilities near the Red Sea.
Officials said the latest moves underscore Greece’s commitment to its defense agreements and its growing role in regional security cooperation.