Greece Bolsters Bulgaria’s Air Defense with Patriot System and Personnel

Jerusalem, 11 March, 2026 (TPS-IL) -- Sofia (BTA) Bulgaria’s caretaker Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov said Wednesday that Greece’s Patriot air defence system is on duty, providing full coverage for Bulgaria. Zapryanov was speaking to journalists in Parliament after a meeting of the parliamentary Committee on Defense.

On March 6, Zapryanov said that Greece had assured Bulgaria it would provide support for the country’s air defence with equipment and military personnel.

On the same day, Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias said, as quoted by the Greek news agency ANA-MPA, that a Greek Patriot air defence system will be deployed in northern Greece to cover a large part of Bulgarian territory. Two F-16 fighter jets will reinforce the protection of Bulgaria’s airspace and two Greek Air Force officers will be seconded to Sofia to coordinate with the Bulgarian military command.