The Minister of National Defense, Nikos Dendias, accompanied by the Deputy Minister of National Defense, Ioannis Kefalogiannisattended today at handover ceremony Chief of the Fleet, between the Chief of General Staff Vice-Admiral Dimitrios – Eleftherios Kataras PN and Vice-Admiral Polychronis Koulouris PN.

At the ceremony, which took place at the Salamina Naval Station, MP Notis Mitarakis attended. In terms of military leadership attendedthe Chief of the General Air Force General Dimitrios Houpis, the Chief of the GES Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis, the Chief of the General Air Force General (I) Dimosthenis Grigoriadis.

They still attended, the Chief of the Fire Brigade Lieutenant General PS Theodoros Vagias, the Deputy Chief of the Hellenic Police Lieutenant General Paschalis Syritoudis as the representative of the Chief of the Hellenic Police, Rear Admiral L.S. Antonios Mazis as the representative of the Chief of the LS-EL.AKT, Senior Officers, retired Navy officers, Vice-Admiral Panos Laskaridis, the members of the Supreme Naval Council, as well as other guests.

During the presentation of a commemorative gift to the GEN Chief and surrendering Fleet Chief, at the ceremony held on the “Hydra” Frigate, Mr. Dendias said:

“Mr. Chief, first of all, as is customary, I will present you with the coat of arms of the Ministry, but will you allow me, in addition, to say two words, which I consider to be a great opportunity to be said at this ceremony of handing over and receiving the Chiefship of Fleet and even on the Frigate “Hydra”.

I would like to say that the Hellenic Navy is based on a solid historical traditionthat never defeated. On this solid tradition, however, we must build the future of the Navy. The “2030 agenda” chronologically indicates the point at which this tomorrow must be more widely visible and operationally ready. I refer first of all to the ships of the Navy. The arrival of the Belharra – the Chiefs mentioned before the new ships – is the new big step of the Hellenic Navy. But, it cannot and should not be the only step. Our Navy needs to move from buying modern ships to designing and co-producing, if not in boat production in the Greek shipbuilding industry. We must move on to new vessels, new technologies and even, dare I say, autonomously moving vessels on or under the sea. But what we all agree on, is that even the most technologically advanced medium is utterly meaningless if it cannot be supported by human resources, our great, real weapon and point of excellence. That too the manpower that drives our Fleet demands from all of us the recognition of its contribution to the defense of the homeland.

This observation concerns the whole of our Armed Forces. But especially for the Fleet, since I am here today in “Hydra”, I would like to say that it is obvious to the leadership of the Ministry that the increase of the Special Conditions Allowance through the Mission Allowance, has not fulfilled its purpose. So we need to look at it again and see to it that this Allowance, adjusted accordingly, gives Navy officers not a reward for the service they provide to the country – they don’t demand it and that’s not the way to express it – but the just gratitude of the Greek society and the homeland towards the great fulfillment of the national duty and the national mission.

I am sure that the new leadership team of the Armed Forcesunder the leadership of the new Chief of the General Staff of the Army, with the new Chief of the General Staff of the Army, the new Chief of the General Staff of the Navy, the new Chief of the General Staff of the Air Force and the Commanders of the existing formations, will fully fulfill their duty and in 2030 Greece will have achieved the goal we defined, to have at its disposal the forces of the new era. Congratulations again and ironheads.”