On December 28, 2024, the Greek newspaper Kathimerini reported that Greece has agreed to provide Ukraine with 24 American-made RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missiles, marking a significant step in its growing support for Ukraine in the ongoing conflict with Russia. This contribution is part of Greece’s broader commitment to enhance Ukraine’s air defense capabilities. According to Ukrainian sources, the Sea Sparrow missiles will be integrated into the Soviet-era Buk air defense systems, which are currently being modernized through the FrankenSAM program. These upgraded Buk systems is capable of firing both the Sea Sparrow and AIM-9L/I-1 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, significantly improving Ukraine’s defensive options against a range of aerial threats.
The Sea Sparrow missile, donated by Greece to Ukraine, is a naval surface-to-air defense system that will be integrated into Ukraine’s modernized Buk air defense platforms under the FrankenSAM program.
The Sea Sparrow missile system, developed and produced by Raytheon, an American defense company, has been a cornerstone of naval air defense for decades. Originally developed in the 1960s for use by the U.S. Navy, the Sea Sparrow has since evolved into a versatile surface-to-air missile, deployed on naval platforms worldwide. Known for its reliability and effectiveness, the Sea Sparrow has undergone continuous improvements to meet the evolving demands of modern warfare, which has made it an invaluable tool for both naval and land-based air defense systems.