MOSCOW, December 27 (RIA Novosti) - Russia is training a group of Greek military specialists to operate Tor-M1 air defense systems in service with the Hellenic Army, a senior military official said on Thursday.

According to various sources, the Greek Armed Forces currently deploy about 25 Tor-M1 (SA-15 Gauntlet) and at least eight S-300PMU1 (SA-20 Gargoyle) air defense systems, both Russian-made.

"In line with an agreement with the Greek Defense Ministry, Russia began on December 15 the training of a small group of Greek military personnel to operate and service Tor-M1 air defense systems," said Colonel General Nikolai Frolov, the commander of Russia's Ground Forces' air defenses.

The general said the training period would last for two months, and that in 2008 another group of Greek specialists would arrive in Russia for Tor-M1 field maintenance training.

The TOR-M1, developed by the Russian company Almaz-Antei, is a low to medium-altitude, short-range surface-to-air missile system designed to intercept aircraft, cruise missiles, precision guided munitions, and unmanned aerial vehicles.

The missile system's target tracking range is 24 km (15 miles), and the engagement range is up to 12 km (1-7.5 miles), with an effective altitude of 10-6,000 m (33-20,000 ft).

Each system is equipped with eight short-range missiles, associated radars, fire control systems and a battery command post.