The return to pre-crisis levels is marked by the forecasts of Defense credits for 2022, stressed the Minister of National Defense Nikos Panagiotopoulos, during the discussion of the budget in Parliament. Especially for the increase of the credits for the armament programs, Nikos Panagiotopoulos hastened to emphasize that it is not an armaments competition, but a road race to fill gaps of years, in the renewal and upgrade of weapons systems. “In a few days, the first six Rafale, will come and nest at the base of Tanagra to operate in the Greek ethers with the country’s brand wings, and Greek pilots in the cockpit,” the Minister of National Defense also informed the national delegation.
“Existing and emerging hybrid threats, challenges and security problems do not allow any kind of complacency. On the contrary, they require increased vigilance and readiness. Geopolitical developments are underway. “The Armed Forces declare their presence, raise their stature and contribute effectively to ensuring peace and stability in our region,” said the Minister of National Defense, who stressed that the events we experienced in 2020, the ever-increasing Turkish provocation, and the ongoing review behavior of the neighbor, demonstrate and confirm the degree and extent of the threat against the sovereign rights of our country, but also the degree of readiness and determination of the Greek Armed Forces that proved to be the guarantor of our territorial independence and rights. In this climate, Nikos Panagiotopoulos said that the government is moving to strengthen the ED and international alliances.
“We proceeded to increase the budget of the Ministry of National Defense, from 3.35 billion euros in total for Defense in 2020, to 5.44 billion for 2021 and more, with the budget of 2022, to 6.39 billion. “, subject to further aid, during 2022, as was done last year, from the special reserve, always in cooperation with the General Accounting Office of the State”, said the Minister of National Defense, who stressed that this is an annual increase that reaches 17.5%, which restores the budget of the Ministry of National Defense, for the first time, to the level of the pre-crisis budgets of the ministry.
Specifically for armaments, the minister said that the budget for 2022 has been increased by 856 million euros, an increase of 34% compared to the appropriations of 2021, but stressed that “it is not an arms race with Turkey or an arms race” but “a road race to fill years gaps “.
Nikos Panagiotopoulos informed the national delegation, in relation to the 18 Rafale, that “in a few days, the first six Rafale, will come and nest at the base of Tanagra to operate in the Greek ethers with the country’s brand wings, and Greeks pilots in the cockpit “. The second six Rafale will be delivered in 2022 and the third in 2023, while the Air Force will procure another 6 new Rafale and that is why the competent staffs are in negotiations at the moment.
The ambitious program for the 3 Belharra frigates that will strengthen the fleet of the Navy and will lead it to the new era and will launch the fate of the Greek Navy for the coming years is also entering into a contract. As the needs for fleet renewal are not limited to frigates, the ministry will soon inform Parliament about the four new corvettes. The last rocket number 7 will be delivered within the next year.
The minister referred to the upgrade of the F-16 block 50, noting that for reasons of transparency it will be led to approval in Parliament, with a new contract. Next Tuesday, the competent committee of the Parliament will be invited to approve the tender result of the tender for the C27 type transport contract, so that spare parts can start coming in the new year.
Referring to the International Aviation Training Center in Kalamata, the Minister of National Defense said that it is a strategic intervention for the future of the Air Force personnel, “because a new Rafale, without highly trained pilots, is not possible”. In February in Kalamata will be inaugurated the first two infrastructure buildings, one will include a modern simulator and a second that will be used as a shed and storage of materials.
The Navy will also be equipped with seven new state-of-the-art anti-submarine helicopters, the first two of which will be delivered in 2022.
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