Greece will deploy air defense systems, fighter jets and military personnel to Northern Greece to help protect neighboring Bulgaria from potential ballistic missile threats amid the war in Iran, Defense Minister, Nikos Dendias said after speaking with his Bulgarian counterpart.

Dendias said he had been in contact over the past two days with Bulgaria’s defense minister, Atanas Zapryanov, following a formal request from Sofia for assistance in strengthening the country’s defensive coverage.

“Yesterday and today I communicated with the Minister of Defense of Bulgaria, Atanas Zapryanov,” Dendias said in a statement. “Following a request made yesterday by the Bulgarian side, I was able to inform him today that Greece will provide assets and personnel for the protection of Bulgaria.”

According to the Greek minister, the move was approved by Greece’s Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defense (KYSEA). A PATRIOT missile battery will be relocated within the next few hours to a suitable site in northern Greece, allowing it to provide anti-ballistic coverage for a large portion of Bulgarian territory.

In addition, a pair of F-16 fighter jets will be transferred to an airport in northern Greece with the specific mission of offering additional aerial coverage for Bulgaria.

To support operational coordination, two senior officers from the Hellenic Air Force will also be deployed to the operations center of the Bulgarian armed forces in Sofia.

Dendias emphasized that the measures were taken at Bulgaria’s request and that the country is a member of both NATO and the European Union. He also stressed that the deployment will not affect Greece’s own anti-ballistic protection capabilities.

The decision reflects growing concern among European governments about the broader security implications of the conflict involving Iran, as countries in southeastern Europe move to strengthen defensive coordination.

Dendias said he is expected to visit Sofia next week following an invitation from Zapryanov.