He also noted that all the decisions of the Greek government are in full harmonization with the decisions in the European Union and NATO.
Intense tones prevailed in the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense, during the briefing of the members by the Minister of National Defense, Nikos Panayotopoulos, on the Greek defense assistance to Ukraine in Ukraine and in particular on the armor shipmentwhich will be replaced by German newer ones.
“There is every good mood from me and Mr. Dendias to have a thorough briefing of the body, but the developments are so dense, so unprecedentedly dense, that the program is heavy and daily,” said the Minister of National Defense.
Mr. Panagiotopoulos informed that he will talk with the German Deputy Minister of Defense about the new armors that will come to Greece, while next week he will have a meeting with his French counterpart, Florence Parley.
Message in Turkey
“No one thought the invasion of Ukraine would happen in 21st century Europe, but it did. All states are opposed to Russian revisionism and aggression. “This revisionism, this aggression, is now threatening the international order in an unprecedented way,” he said, adding that he was sending an indirect message to Turkey:
“It’s good to send a message to all the revisionist leaders in the world that revisionism and aggression will not be tolerated.”
Referring to the war in Ukraine, he said: “This confrontation will have an uncertain duration, and it is necessary for the states that have rushed to the aid of Ukraine to adapt.
He also noted that all the decisions of the Greek government are in full harmonization with the decisions in the European Union and NATO.
The Minister of National Defense then denied that Greece has provided Ukraine with MLRS firearms and launchers, noting that “we were asked, but we did not provide anti-ship missiles”.
“We have not provided MLRS cannons and rocket launchers, as it was heard,” he said, adding that “anti-ship missiles have been requested, we have not provided, other countries have done so.”
The Greek contribution
The Minister of National Defense noted: “We have taken a clear position on this issue from the very beginning, alongside Ukraine and our allies in the European Union and NATO. I think that national position, if nothing else, was clear from the outset. I called you if you have a different point of view to say it boldly so that it can be heard everywhere “.
Mr. Panagiotopoulos was categorical: “The country’s defense order is not endangered in any way.”
Everything that goes to Ukraine, he added, “comes from stocks and is not about critical equipment for the Armed Forces. These are stocks from systems that have either been upgraded or stored. “
“So assistance to Ukraine does not in any way diminish the strength of the Armed Forces,” he said.
For agreement with Germanynoted that “as agreed in principle by the Greek Prime Minister and the German Chancellor, the bnp will be sent to Ukraine, after being replaced by the German Marder”.
Because it is advantageous to replace
Explaining why it is advantageous to be replaced by the most modern German armor, he said:
“What we intend to give to Ukraine does not have the cannon I spoke about. It is difficult for BMP1 to find spare parts. They are not in the best condition, they do not meet the requirements of a modern battlefield. They show frequent failures and it is difficult to find spare parts. On the other hand, the Marder has proven to be a modern battle armor, it has clearly superior quality characteristics “.
Mr. Panagiotopoulos added that “it does not mean that it is a finished case, very specific issues must be settled in the discussions of the staffs and finally at the level of Ministers of Defense”.
He reiterated that the number of Marders to be awarded should be equal to the number to be given and should be operational ready immediately.
He also said that the issue of time in the concession is also important. “Our goal is that there is not an hour left,” he said.
Mr. Panagiotopoulos also noted that a visit of the staff of the General Staff is imminent, in order to inspect what we will get. “We will not take a pig in a sack.”
