Reports on reports that the Air Force is transferring Patriot systems to the base of Souda, in Crete, to shield potential US targets in the region, were denied by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in a radio interview with Thessaloniki’s Status FM radio station on Thursday morning.

“There is no basis, and I will not comment on military meetings in which the Armed Forces are considering various scenarios and are ready for any eventuality. I explicitly and categorically deny that there is any such thing on the horizon,” Mitsotakis said.

Besides the prime minister, the Ministry of National Defence also took a clear position on the issue, stressing in a statement that“the movement of specific weapons systems is obviously outside the scope of public debate.”

The ministry’s statement reads:

“The Ministry of National Defence, by its constitutional role, must, regardless of the circumstances, take all necessary measures for the security of the country and its citizens. And this is what it does.

It is recalled that the Minister of National Defence, Nikos Dendias, has proposed the creation of a defence canopy for the country, with multiple levels and with anti-ballistic capabilities, almost as soon as he took office

This creation, for the country to be able to face modern forms of threats, is part of the holistic approach called “Achilles’ Shield”, which is already being implemented under the “Agenda 2030″, following the approval of the New Force Structure and the 12-year Armament Program by the Parliament and the KYSEA.

The movement of specific weapons systems is obviously outside the scope of public debate.”