Breaking News: Greece to Supply Ukraine with 24 Sea Sparrow Missiles for Enhanced Air Defense Capabilities.

On December 28, 2024, the Greek newspaper Kathimerini reported that Greece has agreed to provide Ukraine with 24 American-made RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missiles, marking a significant step in its growing support for Ukraine in the ongoing conflict with Russia. This contribution is part of Greece’s broader commitment to enhance Ukraine's air defense capabilities. According to Ukrainian sources, the Sea Sparrow missiles will be integrated into the Soviet-era Buk air defense systems, which are currently being modernized through the FrankenSAM program. These upgraded Buk systems is capable of firing both the Sea Sparrow and AIM-9L/I-1 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, significantly improving Ukraine’s defensive options against a range of aerial threats.
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The Sea Sparrow missile, donated by Greece to Ukraine, is a naval surface-to-air defense system that will be integrated into Ukraine's modernized Buk air defense platforms under the FrankenSAM program. (Picture source: U.S. DoD)

The Sea Sparrow missile system, developed and produced by Raytheon, an American defense company, has been a cornerstone of naval air defense for decades. Originally developed in the 1960s for use by the U.S. Navy, the Sea Sparrow has since evolved into a versatile surface-to-air missile, deployed on naval platforms worldwide. Known for its reliability and effectiveness, the Sea Sparrow has undergone continuous improvements to meet the evolving demands of modern warfare, which has made it an invaluable tool for both naval and land-based air defense systems.

The RIM-7 Sea Sparrow is a short-range, surface-to-air missile designed to intercept and destroy airborne threats, including aircraft and missiles. It uses semi-active radar homing for guidance, enabling it to lock onto and track targets effectively. With a range of up to 25 miles (40 kilometers), the Sea Sparrow is capable of engaging high-speed targets such as cruise missiles, fighter jets, and drones, making it a perfect fit for Ukraine's ongoing defense needs as Russia continues its missile and aerial strikes on Ukrainian cities and military positions. The missile’s speed and maneuverability enable it to engage fast-moving targets in contested environments, making it a critical asset in Ukraine’s fight against Russian air superiority.

These Sea Sparrow missiles will be launched from the modernized Buk systems, which have been upgraded under the FrankenSAM program. Initially designed to launch Soviet-made missiles, the modernized Buk platforms will now be able to fire both Sea Sparrow missiles and the AIM-9L/I-1 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. This dual-capability upgrade significantly enhances the flexibility of Ukraine’s air defense systems, enabling them to address a wide variety of threats ranging from fast-moving aircraft to slower-moving guided munitions and missiles. By adding the Sea Sparrow to the Buk system, Ukraine gains a versatile air defense solution capable of engaging multiple threats at varying ranges, strengthening the multi-layered air defense grid that is critical to countering Russian missile and air assaults.

The Sea Sparrow missile’s technical features make it particularly effective in high-threat environments. Its semi-active radar homing guidance system enables it to lock onto targets effectively, and its proximity fuse ensures a high probability of intercept when engaging fast-moving or evasive targets. The missile is capable of speeds exceeding Mach 2.2 (over 2,500 km/h) and can engage threats within a range of 40 km. Its blast-fragmentation warhead is designed to destroy incoming missiles or aircraft on impact, adding an extra layer of reliability to its performance. These characteristics make the Sea Sparrow an ideal tool for neutralizing a wide array of aerial threats, from advanced fighter jets to increasingly sophisticated cruise missiles.

Greece’s provision of these Sea Sparrow missiles is the latest in a series of military support measures it has taken since the start of the war in Ukraine. Since the conflict began in February 2022, Greece has steadily ramped up its assistance to Ukraine, particularly in the area of air defense. Initially, Greece provided Ukraine with artillery shells, anti-tank missiles, and small arms.

In addition to artillery ammunition, Greece’s military support to Ukraine includes a variety of other essential equipment. Since October 2022, Greece has delivered 40 BMP-1A1 infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine, made available through the Ringtausch program, which saw these vehicles exchanged for 40 German-made Marder IFVs. Another unknown quantity of BMP-1A1s is also expected to be delivered in the near future. In terms of anti-tank capabilities, Greece has supplied 815 RPG-18 anti-tank weapons since February 2022, a critical tool for Ukraine's forces in their efforts to counter Russian armored advances.

The support also includes 20,000 Kalashnikov rifles, which have been delivered from February 2022 onwards to bolster Ukraine's infantry capabilities. In addition, Greece has provided a significant amount of 122mm rocket artillery rounds for the BM-21 and RM-70 multiple rocket launchers (MRLs) to aid Ukraine’s artillery units. While the exact quantity remains unspecified, these munitions are crucial for Ukraine's continued defense, especially in the ongoing artillery battles with Russian forces.

Further supporting Ukraine’s small arms needs, Greece is expected to deliver additional small arms ammunition along with artillery shells, both of which are essential for sustaining Ukrainian military operations. Greece is also working through the European Defense Agency (EDA) to procure and deliver 155mm artillery ammunition to Ukraine, a key component for Ukraine’s long-range artillery capabilities. These contributions are part of Greece’s wider strategy to ensure Ukraine has the necessary resources to defend its territory and infrastructure from Russian attacks.

The delivery of Sea Sparrow missiles will further complicate Russian efforts to maintain air superiority over Ukraine. By integrating Sea Sparrow into the modernized Buk systems, Ukraine’s air defense capabilities will be significantly strengthened. The Sea Sparrow’s ability to engage a wide range of aerial threats, coupled with the Buk system’s advanced targeting and interception capabilities, will provide Ukraine with a robust defense against both high-speed aircraft and slower-moving guided missiles. This enhanced air defense will be vital as Russia continues to launch missile strikes against critical infrastructure and military targets in Ukraine.

The support from Greece underscores the growing strategic cooperation between Greece and Ukraine, and it also highlights Greece’s alignment with NATO allies in the effort to support Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Greece, which faces its own security challenges in the Mediterranean region, recognizes the importance of a secure European defense structure. By contributing to Ukraine’s defense efforts, Greece not only bolsters Ukraine's defense capabilities but also strengthens NATO’s collective security posture, which is aimed at deterring Russian aggression across the continent.