Greece and Spain have hundreds of Patriot missiles with expiring shelf lives, but are reluctant to transfer them to Ukraine – The Telegraph

Greece and Spain are keeping interceptor missiles for Patriot air defense systems in their arsenals whose expiration dates are approaching. Despite Ukraine's acute need to strengthen its air defense, these countries are in no hurry to transfer the ammunition

This is reported by The Telegraph.

Why Greece and Spain are asked to transfer Patriot missiles

Greece and Spain refused to transfer missiles for Patriot surface-to-air missile systems to Ukraine, despite the fact that some of them are already expiring.

According to the publication, these two countries have some of the largest stockpiles of Patriot interceptor missiles in Europe. At the same time, Ukraine needs additional ammunition to counter intensifying Russian air attacks.

Earlier, Ukrainian officials warned that Russia could try to disable Ukraine's energy infrastructure, leave cities without electricity, and test the resilience of the population during the winter. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine needs between 300 and 360 Patriot interceptor missiles to counter winter Russian strikes.

In view of these needs, representatives of NATO and the European Union tried to persuade Athens and Madrid to transfer PAC-2 missiles to Ukraine, the expiration date of which is coming to an end.

According to The Telegraph, Greece has at least 200 such missiles, with an estimated shelf life of 23 years. How much similar ammunition is stored in Spain is unknown. At the same time, last month the Spanish Foreign Minister announced that the country will transfer 5 interceptor missiles to Ukraine.

How allies are trying to persuade Athens and Madrid

EU Chief Diplomat Kaja Kallas raised the issue of transferring missiles during talks in Ireland in September. She drew attention to the fact that some countries have ammunition that will soon expire, and urged them to consider the possibility of transferring it to Ukraine.

One of The Telegraph's diplomatic sources explained that partners are trying to help Greece and Spain make an appropriate decision. According to the publication's interlocutor, it would be logical to transfer to Ukraine at least those missiles whose expiration date is approaching.

What happens to missiles after their expiration date

Patriot interceptor missiles, like other ammunition, have a specified shelf life. During this period, the manufacturer guarantees their proper operation.

After the expiration of the established period, the missiles can be re-certified. During this procedure, specialists check their condition and, if necessary, replace components, in particular batteries or rocket engines, whose expiration date has passed.

Fabian Hoffmann, a missile technology expert at the University of Oslo, explained to The Telegraph that missiles can remain operational even after a specified period expires. However, in this case, the manufacturer no longer guarantees that the ammunition will work properly.