“The uncertainty about the developments in our neighboring countries requires Greece to be ready within a reasonable period of time, until 2030, for all possible developments and against any revising force that might threaten our sovereignty and sovereign rights.

“Agenda 2030″ promotes significant changes that lead the Armed Forces not just to 2030, but in the coming decades and serve one main goal: To shield our homeland against any form of threat, conventional or hybrid and to defend independence and sovereignty of”, the Minister of National Defense Nikos Dendias points out, among others, in his article published on the libre.gr website.

“This is the biggest reform in their modern history, as Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has pointed out, through which we aspire to a radical change in the way they operate, especially in the light of dealing with modern threats” he continues and refers to the 3 main pillars of of reform which are:

“- First pillar, the complete reorganization of the structure and operation of the Armed Forces with the aim of a modern, flexible and operationally efficient structure, which will meet the modern requirements but also the real capabilities of our country. From the reorganization of Formations/Units, the formation of Units Dual role/use for Defense and Civil Protection and the creation of an Electronic Warfare Directorate, to the streamlining of decision-making processes,

-The second pillar concerns the weapon systems of the Armed Forces, with the updating of the equipment program, which takes into account the lessons learned from modern conflicts, technological developments and budgetary possibilities. A commitment to technologically advanced solutions, efficient and with a better cost-benefit ratio is required. At the same time, the development of new media from domestic production is required. Our country has the appropriate human capital which it must utilize.

An important part of the reform, he adds, is the overall review of our country’s equipment program, such as the acquisition of 20 F-35s, the most technologically advanced 5th generation aircraft, and the start of an investigation into participation in the construction program of the frigate, Constellation, the new generation frigate of the US Navy. Along with Rafale fighter jets, Belharra frigates, Romeo helicopters, etc. our country, taking advantage of the lag of the Greek people, can change the level of its defense capabilities and become a reliable security provider in the wider region, in cooperation with our allies and partners.

At the same time, he continues, a new operating model of the Defense Industry is being implemented, with the Hellenic Center for Defense Innovation and the financing of the production of the means that the Armed Forces have set their specifications for. In this way, the Greek defense industry and the country’s economy in general are strengthened. Equally important is that we move from the logic of “buying from the foreign shelf” to the mentality of designing and producing defense material and means in our country.

-The third and extremely important pillar is the human resources of the Armed Forces, by upgrading the training of officers and by redesigning their career path, but also by expanding the important role of the NCO Corps. At the same time, the improvement of the living conditions of the members of the Armed Forces is implemented, with the main priority being the coverage of their housing needs, for which the implementation of Phase I of an ambitious housing program has begun. Equally necessary are the changes in the way in which the term of conscripts is implemented, with the transition from “Conscript-Conscript” to “Conscript-Reserve”, as well as with the planning for the voluntary conscription of women”, he concludes.