Panagiotopoulos: We will receive one Rafale every month – Modernizing F-16s, in the F-35 program

In his statements, the Minister of Defense referred to the armament programs of Greece and the strengthening of the war machine on land, air and sea Nikos Panagiotopoulos.

The Minister of National Defense Nikos Panagiotopoulos attended today the official celebration of the Patron Saint of the Air Force Archangel Michael, held in Air Force Academyin Decelia.

Present at the event were the Chief of GES Lieutenant General Charalambos Lalousis, the Chief of GEN Vice Admiral Stylianos Petrakis PN and the Chief of GEA Vice Admiral (I) Themistoklis Bourolias. Members of Parliament, Defense Attaches of foreign countries, retired chiefs and Air Force officers also attended.

After the ceremony, the Minister of National Defense made the following statements to the military editors:

JOURNALIST: Yesterday you saw what happened to the Greek frigates. We are interested, from what we have learned, in the corvette program. How is the country progressing in terms of equipment?

NIKOLAOS PANAGIOTOPOULOS: We have declared in every tone in all directions: The intensive effort to strengthen the Armed Forces by means will not stop. So in the context of this effort and today – during the Air Force holiday – they flew two new “Rafale”, the two that belong to the second six that, as you know, are currently under delivery to the Air Force. They just came from France. They were picked up by another “Rafale” that took off from its base in Tanagra.

I wish, I would say, that at every celebration of the Air Force we have one or more new vehicles appearing in the Greek skies. You understand that symbolism is powerful. The next fourRafale” from the second six will be delivered in the near future, at a rate of about one per month. And it goes on and on.

As I told you, the future of the Air Force is set bright since the “Rafale” are already included, the modernization of the eighty-three is progressing rapidly F-16 in the “Viper” version, the most advanced version in the world today. The decision has been made to modernize the F-16 Block 50. Greece has entered the F-35 programin a few months we are waiting for the response to the LOR that we have sent in order for this process to evolve, and so on.

More interdisciplinarity, more network centricity since in the modern, digital age, the speed of information transmission to the operator and from the operator to other media and other Branches, is of useful importance that helps him to perform his mission better. And so the Air Force also enters this era.

So when I say digital era, yesterday in France at the “Group Naval” Shipyards, in Lorient in the north-west of France, he attended the launching ceremony of the first frigate “Belh@rra” FDIon behalf of the French Navy – the first ship of this type to be launched these days – in the presence of course (and upon invitation) of my counterpart, the French Minister of Defense Sébastien Lecorny.

A big day for the French Armed Forces, for the French Navy, but of course with importance for the Greek Armed Forces as well, since the second ship that will be on behalf of the Navy follows. So the second frigate is already being built there at the “Group Naval” Shipyards, at a rapid pace. The program is ahead of schedule in terms of delivery. As you know, the two ships will be delivered to the Navy, beginning and end of 2025. So we are on schedule, at a very fast pace and I had the opportunity to see up close the construction work, the capabilities of this very large ship, the digital ones in particular capabilities that it has, since in essence it too is transformed into a digital center for transmission and processing of all information which, as is understandable, creates new possibilities in the tactical environment, the navy and not only, as well as the great possibilities it has in terms of equipment.

I had the opportunity to tour with the people of the company, with the personnel who will man the ship, since the Governor and the crew have already been selected, but also to exchange views with the Navy Echelon, that is, the Navy officers who are already here and for some time in Lorient and closely monitor the whole process, they connect the manufacturing company with companies of the Greek Defense Industry. Contracts have already been signed to participate in this program which takes place in France, but also involves Greek companies.

The strategic relationship with France is evolving. It turns out in these programs that are running fast and I think the big benefit is that the Armed Forces are being strengthened with the best means, the most modern means, in the air and at sea and at a rapid pace.

JOURNALIST: What about the corvettes?

NIKOLAOS PANAGIOTOPOULOS: The issue of corvettes is a decision that will concern us in the immediate future. We are currently awaiting the final proposals from the French and Italians, who will be in the final selection phase.

These proposals also have to do with finance, the repayment plan, which we would like to be as favorable as possible, so that we can cover it in our financial planning. They have to do with the delivery schedules and of course with the issue of shipbuilding in a Greek or Greek Shipyards.

As long as adequate, satisfactory answers are given to these questions, they will of course be evaluated by the Navy. I think we are close to making a decision, certainly before the end of the year on this issue as well. And of course there is also the exercise of the option, that is, the alternative, for a fourth frigate depending on how the final proposals that will come from the “finalists” will be evaluated, if you will, for this program as well. We are close I would say in terms of decisions.

JOURNALIST: Mr. Minister, with your bond, did you also send a message for a common Greek-French front again against revisionism, against the challenges? Does the alliance with France remain strong?

NIKOLAOS PANAGIOTOPOULOS: Certainly in the discussion that took place between the Greek and French delegations, headed by my counterpart, French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecorny, these issues also came to the discussion table. Once again, we confirmed our common will to cooperate, so that those who desire peace, security and stability in Southeast Europe prevail.

This is very important. They all understand the differences we have, the tension that exists, the challenges, but also the insults. I also talked about insults on an almost daily basis from the neighbors. We would all like to reach a better level of understanding, but to do that, the rhetoric will have to change and the tones will have to be lowered.

Our allies are close to us and the French, I would say, are closer to us, at the level of the European Union, allies who have always understood our arguments and have been by our side, I think both at the level of policy, but also at the level of actions. All these equipments that we are doing to France, the agreement that we have signed, the mutual defense assistance clause that is in this agreement and they have expressed their opinion to be implemented, if required, I think best of all demonstrate the quality and the depth of this alliance.

AGEA: The need for strong armed forces more urgent than ever

The Air Force today, stronger, more ready, more capable than ever, has entered the next technological era, through a huge but much-needed program of modernization and upgrading, with the aim of maximizing deterrent power, but also operational efficiency. This was underlined in his order of the day on the occasion of the celebration of the Patron Saint of the Air Force, Archangel Michael, the Chief of the General Air Staff (GEA) Lieutenant General Themistocles Bourolias.

He emphasized that with the completion of 110 years of “aviation history” and “selfless service”, the Air Force continues “its daily struggle to ensure the territorial integrity and independence of the homeland”.

“The need for strong armed forces appears more imperative than ever,” he said and continued: “Especially in the turbulent region and age we live in, where the concept of legitimacy and international law is repeatedly called into question, and where the words legitimacy, stability and normality have now lost their timeless dynamics”.

“In such an environment,” he clarified, “only the strong can ensure its survival, secure its natural existence and entity, defend its national independence and dignity, and ultimately hand over to future generations an independent, sovereign homeland , prosperous”.

“The Air Force has for many years created a culture based on fundamental values, with the aim, in the case of operations, to lead it to victory and not to heroism” he said and continued: “It does not follow the developments, but determines the place and time of the eventuality showdown. It emphasizes realistic personnel training, evaluation, executive personality development, quality over quantity, and an intelligently combined air defense system. Thus, it develops capabilities that contribute decisively to the defense of national interests, primarily through deterrence.”

Referring to education, he said that “actions are underway for our timely and safe transition to the synthetic era, as part of a more general effort to increase digital education, with the ultimate goal of occupying a competent part of the whole process.”

Regarding the social contribution, the GEA chief emphasized that “the Air Force continues to give its daily presence with sensitivity, self-sacrifice, professionalism and altruism, in the battle to ensure the health, property and safety of citizens”.

“Priority” he added, “is to ensure the adequacy, functionality and efficiency of the means, by searching for solutions and options that will ensure their availability as much as possible and the effectiveness and feasibility of the mission”.

In the field of aviation training, the GEA chief pointed out that “the pioneering project of the creation of the Flight Training Center in Kalamata, a decades-long goal, is being implemented at a rapid pace and has already begun to yield practical results in the aviation training of our Icars”.

“In a few months”, he added, “the entry into the aviation ranks of the new M-346 training aircraft is expected to completely change the philosophy of training, but also of the wider training function and culture of the Air Force, introducing it to the digital age.” .

“The officers of the Air Force have both the ability and the ability to support the national strategy and the foreign policy drawn up by the leadership, preserving the sovereignty and ensuring the territorial integrity of the homeland, with commitment to the duty and the oath that he has given before the greatest symbols of our nation, in the flag and in the gospel. We owe it to our immortal dead, who paved with their sacrifice the path to today’s Air Force of sovereignty, deterrence, contribution and international acceptance. We remember them, we respect them and we honor them” concludes the GEA leader in his agenda.

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