US Sends MQ-9 Reaper Drones To Greece Amid Tussle With Turkey l Biden’s Tacit Support For Athens?

The US has reportedly deployed eight MQ-9 Reaper drones to the newly upgraded Larissa Air Base in Greece. The deployment made in the final weeks of 2022 came amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war which has raised tensions in Europe. The base went under modernisation to include new maintenance shelters, ramps and taxiway extensions for a $21 million contract. The deployment was a part of an agreement between the US and Greece, as per reports. The deployment of Reapers at Larissa is intended to deter or avoid any possible NATO-Russia conflict amid Ukraine war. In recent years, NATO is paying more attention to its southeastern frontier, where it borders conflicts in the Middle East. In December, the US said that the two countries have worked together to ensure the Larissa base had the capabilities to support the MQ-9s. Another reason that has pushed the US to increase its presence in Greece is its land route to Ukraine, analysts say. However, the presence of US military in the region also comes amid escalating tensions between NATO allies, Turkey and Greece.