The Minister of National Defence, Nikos Dendias, visited Riyadh yesterday, Thursday 15 October 2026, where he was received by the Crown Prince of the Saudi Arabian throne, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, and also had a working meeting with the country’s Minister of Defence, Prince Khalid bin Salman Al Saud.
During the meeting with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, discussions focused on the strategic cooperation between Greece and Saudi Arabia, regional security, and the stability challenges in the broader region. The Crown Prince expressed his gratitude for the Greek military presence and the contribution of the Patriot Battery (Hellenic Force in Saudi Arabia – ELDYSA) to the defence of Saudi Arabia.
During the meeting with the Minister of Defence of Saudi Arabia, opinions were exchanged on the further enhancement of the strategic cooperation between the Armed Forces of the two countries and matters of mutual interest regarding defence innovation were examined. In addition, the Saudi Arabian Minister also expressed his gratitude for the presence of the Greek Patriot Battery in the country.
Afterwards, the Greek Minister visited on the night of Thursday 15 October 2026, the facilities of the Hellenic Force in Saudi Arabia in Yanbu, where he was received by Major General Ahmed Ali Aldabeis, on behalf of the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces.
The Minister of National Defence was briefed by the Commander of the Hellenic Force in Saudi Arabia on its mission and discussed with the personnel, which he thanked for their service.
Concluding his visit to Saudi Arabia, Mr. Dendias stated:
“First of all, I had the pleasure to be received by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who thanked me for our presence and the presence of the Greek Battery in Saudi Arabia, as well as for our participation in Saudi Arabia’s Defence. In addition, we had a broad discussion on the geopolitical developments in the region.
After that, I met with the Minister of Defence, Prince Khalid bin Salman, who began by thanking me for the presence of the Greek Battery in Saudi Arabia. Afterwards, we discussed a series of matters, which included technical issues regarding the stationing of our Battery in Yanbu and its continuation.
I also visited Yanbu and, just a few moments ago, I had the great pleasure of shaking hands with the personnel of the Hellenic Force in Saudi Arabia; the women and men serving the Patriot systems and participating in the Defence of the Kingdom, while also contributing to the Defence of our own Country. They do not only contribute in terms of protecting energy facilities, but by also maintaining the prestige and capabilities of our country on a high level. They are acquiring useful experience through their presence here. An experience that the Hellenic Armed Forces need, because as we all know very well, Greece is not a country that does not face any threats. Our neighbourhood, our region, is not one inhabited by angels”.
