Greece considers arming Ukraine amid growing Western support

Greece is examining its military stockpiles intending to transfer them to Ukraine, reports the eKathimerini portal. This comes from Kyiv's requests for missiles for S-300 and Patriot systems and a multitude of other equipment. The list includes, among other things, Harpoon anti-ship missiles and RM-70 rocket systems.

In recent weeks, Western allies' assistance to Ukraine has intensified. Germany has pledged to find additional Patriots to send to the front. Although this failed, Kyiv succeeded with the recent deployment of another IRIS-T SLM air defence system from Berlin.

However, the air defence system is not a cure-all for the Ukrainians' problems, given the ongoing revival of the military sector in the Russian Federation, which enhances its capability of conducting further attacks deep into Ukraine.

That is why Kyiv continues to appeal for assistance from its allies. Recently, with a request for ammunition for Patriots and S-300, Kyiv has reached out to Athens. According to the eKathimerini portal, Ukraine's list of expectations from Greece includes a variety of other weapons.

The list of equipment that Kyiv is requesting from Athens primarily includes ammunition. There is also a need for parts for the still long-awaited F-16 fighters. These would serve future aircraft repairs. Ukraine would like to receive in total:

• spare parts for F-16 fighters;
• MLRS RM-70 Vampir rocket systems;
• engineering equipment;
• Harpoon anti-ship missiles;
• artillery shells of calibres 155 mm, 155 mm, 127 mm, and 102 mm;
• mortar and tank shells of calibers 127 mm, 127 mm, 102 mm, 25 mm, 25 mm, and 51 mm.

Apart from the tank and artillery ammunition, which Ukrainians have frequently discussed in the context of its shortage, a specific model of a rocket launcher from Greece's arsenal attracts attention. The RM-70 Vampir is a multi-rocket launcher produced since the 1970s. Its design is similar to the popular BM-21 Grad systems, although heavier and widely considered better.

The RM-70 is powered by an engine that generates nearly 335 horsepower and accelerates the vehicle to almost 90 km/h. A 127-mm launcher provides its defensive capabilities with a stock of 40 pieces of ammunition with a range of up to 20 km. Additionally, the Vampir is equipped with a VZ—59 machine gun.

Meanwhile, the Harpoon anti-ship missiles that Ukrainians also request from the Greeks are US-made, short-range cruising ammunition that can be launched from surface, underwater, and aerial platforms. They are designed to eliminate surface targets, so Kyiv will most likely use this weapon against the dwindling Black Sea Fleet.

Depending on the variant, the Harpoon can reach objects up to 130 km from the launch point (even 280 km in the extended-range version). Each version is turbojet-powered and can accelerate to approximately 850 km/h. A warhead weighing approximately 220 kg ensures the effectiveness of the attack.