In today’s unstable geopolitical landscape in our wider region and with the emergence of new security challenges, it is clearly demonstrated, as never before, that strong Armed Forces are a necessary condition for the protection of the sovereignty and sovereign rights of Greece, as stated in an article by in the special multimedia edition “World Review 2024” of euro2day.gr in collaboration with the “New York Times”, the Minister of National Defense, Nikos Dendias.

“As I have repeatedly emphasized, our country is not fortunate enough to be in the Luxembourg region. Its proximity to conflict zones is a constant reminder of the need for Greece to have strong Armed Forces. It is not just a choice of ours. It is a necessary condition for national survival“, he noted.

In this direction, “at the Ministry of National Defense we utilize the valuable lessons learned from the ongoing armed conflicts, as well as modern technological developments”, he added.

“We are promoting”, he explained, “the overall modernization of the Armed Forces and their adaptation to the need to deal with new threats, conventional and hybrid”.

The “Agenda 2030“, continued Mr. Dendias, “which we are implementing, the largest reform in the history of the Armed Forces as pointed out by the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, aims at the overall upgrade of our defense capabilities, through the emphasis on the development of Innovation and Defense Technology”.

“The central axis of the reform is the Hellenic Center for Defense Innovation (ELKAK), which was established and operates under Law 5110/2024, which I had the honor to propose to the Greek Parliament and which was voted in favor last May with a wide majority”, he pointed out.

“Our planning includes the utilization of our country’s scientific human resources, the upgrading of infrastructure, the strengthening of research and development, the cooperation with private and international agencies, as well as the utilization of European funded programs”, underlined the Minister of National Defense and added: “Five months after the start of ELKAK’s operation, there are already tangible results, which prove the usefulness of its establishment”.

As he said, “one of the first results of the shift to Innovation and modern Defense Technology is the innovative anti-drone system”CENTAUR” of the Hellenic Aviation Industry, which has already been successfully tested by the Navy in the Red Sea. It is the first anti-drone system of these capabilities produced by our country and whose reliability has been exploited and tested in real combat conditions.”

Regarding defense spending, Mr. Dendias noted: “Tthe only issue is not whether and to what extent the country’s defense budget will increase, which of course depends on the country’s current fiscal margins. Equally important is how this budget, which comes from the arrears of the Greek taxpayer, will be used in a way that satisfies the country’s modern defense needs as a priority and how there will be domestic added value».

“Our country has spent a total of 254 billion euros from post-colonization to 2010, but little of this money included Greek added value. It is time to try to change this and for defense spending to contribute to development and the national economy“, he added.

“In the field of equipment programs, its planning and implementation is now carried out by drawing up the 12-year Long-Term Defense Equipment Planning, with information and approval of the Hellenic Parliament. In this way we will know for the next 12 years all the steps we will have to follow for the country’s defense armor“, he emphasized.

“At the same time, the country is investing in modern weapons systems. The acquisition of 5th generation F-35 fighters is a key step in this direction. In addition, the construction of the Belharra frigates, participation in the Constellation frigate construction program and our participation in the “Eurocorvette” development program significantly enhance the Navy’s capabilities“, he pointed out and added: “At the same time, we are promoting institutional changes in the way the Armed Forces are organized and operated, as well as in the tenure and reserve».

“Our goal is a truly new structure, which will be able to make the most of modern weapon systems. It is not understood nor can it be tolerated that there are units of the Greek Army in small percentages of the projected strength, nor can there be camps without serving real needs and based on the planning of the first post-war years“, underlined the Minister of National Defense.

“In this direction, we are already studying the changes in the structure of the Armed Forces and when there are final decisions I will inform the Hellenic Parliament, as provided by the legislation. We must also not forget that manpower is the main force multiplier of the Armed Forces and their training is crucial. We are investing in upgrading existing military schools, creating new infrastructure, strengthening education and encouraging research from the Military Schools, which will be able to grant postgraduate degrees and Ph.D.“, said Mr. Dendias to complete:

“Alongside upgrading the training of Armed Forces personnel, we also aim to meet their housing needs with the extensive housing program currently underway, as well as to optimize health care with the changes underway for the Military Hospitals, following my relevant recommendation to the cabinet».

“Furthermore, we are strengthening the field of defense diplomacy. Our participation in the European operation “Shields”, the largest operation ever undertaken by the European Union, highlights the important regional and European role of our country. Greece’s taking over of Naval Command, in addition to land Command with the Headquarters in Larissa, further highlights the role of our country as a security factor in the wider region. Besides, for Greece, it is a strategic priority to strengthen the defense and security mechanisms of the EU and to create, finally, a defense arm“, noted the minister.

“All these combined actions tend towards one goal: Greece, with respect to International Law and the International Law of the Sea, to have Armed Forces that will be able to effectively defend its national interests and rights. But also to have a role in developments, as a pillar of stability in the wider region of the South-East Mediterranean and South-East Europeconcluded Mr. Dendias.