Request for the transfer of an array of short-range mobile anti-aircraft systems CROTALE her Air Force (PA) was also officially filed in Athens by the French authorities, on the grounds of its use for the period of execution of the Olympic Games of Paris. According to well-informed sourcesthe French side hinted that since Paris intends to provide anti-aircraft systems to Ukraine, it needs allied assistance in order to ensure air defense of critical infrastructure within the capital city hosting the Olympic Games.
Paris will “unleash” its own arrays in order to strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses.
The same ones sources told “K” that the relevant correspondence between Athens and Paris began at the diplomatic level last November, apparently without any development until now. The French propose two ways of transporting the array. Either by the pattern of development Patriot of P.A. in Saudi Arabia to guard critical infrastructure, without, however, being clear whether they will cover the costs, as is the case with Riyadh. Either through loan for a period longer than the duration of the Olympic Games (July 26 – August 11).
The CROTALE system is of French manufacture (Thales) and joined the P.A. in 2003, it has launchers with a range of 11-20 km and a maximum engagement height of 6 km. It is, in short, ideal for the purpose for which the French need it. Certainly, the new request in the current phase of shaking up the debate about the need to strengthen it Ukrainian Air Defense reasonably evokes associations. Like the “K” as he has mentioned several times over the past two years, the debate over the need for allies to provide anti-aircraft systems, and Greece in particular, began the day after the Russian invasion of Ukraine and has never stopped since. Tomorrowin the form of a teleconference, the pressure is expected to be repeated, this time from the USA, in the planned teleconference to strengthen Ukraine (Ukraine Defense Contact Group), in the so-called “typical Rammstein” which has received its name from the first relevant meeting which took place at the American air base, in Germany.
The French proposal, although not directly linked to Ukraine, is clearly yet another very indirect suggestion to Athens to “unlock” part of its anti-aircraft defense, in the general European effort to strengthen Kiev. Of course, the French presses are much more elegant than those from Berlin. In fact, in the last ten days the proverbial lack of tact of the German diplomats was not limited to the pressures for Greece to send anti-aircraft systems to Kiev, but also extended to the attempt to entrench the Republic of Cyprus during the recent European Council and the writing of the text of conclusions on Euro-Turkish relations . How openly hostile the pressures from Berlin are is shown by the fact that Athens is placed in the same category as Madrid, while it is widely known that Spain has already decided to send its anti-aircraft systems to Ukraine.
Athens is not going to move from the position recorded by Greek government on non-concession of anti-aircraft systems per se, yet it is abundantly clear that the position on the offer at the artillery level is also considered weak even by more bona fide partners who have shouldered a significant burden of contributions to Ukraine.
