What the Minister of National Defense supports for Europe’s re -equipment and Turkey’s involvement
“As part of the changes planned in the term, all military would know how to handle drone and anti-Drone systems,” National Defense Minister Nikos Dendias told Naftemporiki.
“We have a highly trained scientific and technical staff, high level of research centers at universities and an emerging technological entrepreneurship. We want and can use this ecosystem to produce technologies within the country that will enhance our strategic autonomy, “the minister explained. Speaking about the Safe mechanism, Mr Dendias estimated that “the partners must decide which Europe they want. No Europe is understood without principles, values and respect for the rules of international law. It is also not understood to participate in the European Union-threatening countries or that do not recognize members of the European Union. “
“There can be no requirement, for the sake of” economic interests “, to turn some countries into” Iphiges “of Western value culture. It is obvious that there is no “distancing” from the position of the government, “he said. As he recalled, he had reported from Mystras to the Safe Regulation, calling the “Kerkoporta Regulation”, provided that it is attempted by some partners “to be implemented by tricks, so that the European Union members are not required to consensuality with third countries”. “Moreover, the importance of unanimity had also emphasized the prime minister in his recent statements, saying that” in order for the European Union to conclude any agreement with a third member state candidate, the agreement of all Member States, is unanimous, “he said.”
“The European Union, especially after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, has made it clear its intention to develop strategic autonomy and support the domestic defense industry of its member states. Our country had already underlined the need to create a defensive arm of the European Union. After the latest developments beyond the Atlantic, there is even more urgent need to create a modern and innovative European defense industry, “he said.
“But the systematic recourse to equipment from third countries contradicts this direction. Especially when it comes to equipment from countries that, in addition to not participating in the EU, do not endorse the same values and principles as I mentioned above, answering your previous question. In addition to the danger of “self -esteem” its value framework, the European Union is at risk in this case being facing political or strategic pressure and substantially dependence on this third country, “he said.
“Greece,” he said, “is therefore called upon to move wherever he sees, with strategic clarity. And to highlight as a responsible partner the deeper dangers and consequences of such an option not only for itself but also for the whole of the European venture. And I inform you that at the level of Ministers of Defense, we are not talking about non -listening to at least many of them. The final political choice, of course, belongs to their governments. “
“As for the” good atmosphere “, I would like to emphasize that this narrative, which may be used by Turkey, cannot be considered reliable. I hope that the partners do not understand this as such, especially when, among other things, the threat of war against Greece, there is a Turkish Memorandum, a negative attitude to resolve the Cyprus problem and directly opposed to the decisions of the Council of Security. “Blue Homeland”. And the rest on the field, after the reaction to the issue of the Greece-Cyprus electric interconnection, cannot be claimed by the Turks. “
Mr Dendias made it clear that in the field of unmanned systems, our country has been a spectator of international evolution for years, with a gap today from Turkey today. “Other countries have found in time that the UAVs and autonomous systems are fully transformed and invested in technological self -sufficiency programs, Greece remained trapped in an outdated model of war conflicts, in fragmentary actions and bureaucratic inactivity.” “We have, however,” he said, “is already taking significant steps to cover it with speed, strategic dedication and institutional seriousness. The role of the Hellenic Defense Innovation Center (ELKAK), whose creation aims to bridge the gap between defensive needs and research-industrial capacity, is also important in this case.
Of the 10 programs already announced, four focus solely on the development of unmanned systems – both aerial and groundwater – with capabilities of recognition, electronic interference, surveillance and targeting. These are dual-use technologies, with potential implementation, both in regular war and in research-rescue, environmental protection, humanitarian support or critical infrastructure. ” “At the same time,” he continued, “actions related to UAVS training are being implemented. Armed Forces officers will participate in training programs in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, as part of the Joint Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems University, gaining specialized knowledge, whose standards are designed to create a corresponding education center in Greece. “
On “Agenda 2030”, he stressed that “it is not just a strategic text of intentions, nor a co -existent political announcement”: “constitutes a coherent, institutionally founded and long -term defensive reform, which reflects the decision of the Hellenic Republic to make the most modern and more contemporary. […] This is not a sum of equipment supplies. It is about an overall approach to redefining our business doctrine, administrative reconstruction of the sectors and the integration of new technologies into our design, “the Minister of National Defense explained.
“Also, the application of” Agenda 2030 “is not informal or arbitrary. It is based on measurable elements and goals set by political and military leadership. Goals related to progress in areas such as operational interoperability, digital awareness, activation of defense innovation and domestic participation in equipment. ” “Their implementation is supervised by the General Staffs and their addresses, based on specific time cycles and with interim evaluations per priority. Throughout the decade, the progress of the “agenda” will be reflected at an institutional level through parliamentary accountability. Emblematic means to enhance the deterrent capacity of our country are the “Achilles Shield” (a holistic approach to effective treatment of enemy air marine and underwater threats with the use of artificial intelligence), the operational integration of F-35 F-35 F-35 Command & Control, strengthening our potential in cyber security and the implementation of the new Structure of forces, “Mr. Dendias analyzed.
“The” Agenda 2030 “does not develop in absentia of the European framework. It is fully aligned with the European Commission’s initiative for Readiness 2030, the evolution of the original Rearm Europe plan, announced in March 2025. In summary, the ‘agenda 2030’ is not an administrative dossier in drawers. This is the implementation of a new perception, through which Greece can become a pillar of security of the European Union and the wider region. “
For the domestic defense industry, Mr Dendias said: “Our country, for decades, had adopted a defensive model based on the introduction of integrated systems and finished products, with no particular care to strengthen the domestic production base or technological integration. The result was dual negative: High fiscal costs without multiplier benefits and, at the same time, strategic dependence on third parties, even for elementary maintenance. This logic cannot continue. It does not meet the challenges of the 21st century. ” “Therefore, the answer to the question is clear: Yes, the domestic defense industry can and should contribute substantially to economic growth, GDP growth and the decline in the deficit of the foreign payout balance, which is crucial to not experience our country again.”
“Greece spends more than 3% of its GDP on defensive needs – the highest rate in the European Union and one of the highest in NATO. From these costs, until recently, only 0.7% concerned products, services or technologies domestic. “Agenda 2030” already provides and is already applying the overthrow of this disagreement. Our goal is for the participation of the Greek industry to reach 25% in the chain of value of the equipment programs. Already, as I had the pleasure and honor of announcing a few days ago, during the frying “Forms” frigate in France, we have secured Naval’s written assurance of the participation of the Greek Defense Industry in the fourth FDI frigate with the above rate. “
“This means not only the creation of thousands of highly specialized jobs, but also a significant increase in exports, a return to the scientific potential that abandoned the country (Brain Regain) and the establishment of a sustainable productive ecosystem,” he added. “Domestic participation is no longer a wish. It is an obligation. At the same time, the domestic defense industry is emerging in a lever for the national economy of the national economy, except for the pillar of national sovereignty. From ‘fiscal burden’ it turns into investment- economic, technological and diplomatic, ”the Minister of National Defense said. “Every euro invested within the border returns multiple times: to employment, in knowledge, in prestige. So we will not continue to be ordinary customers. From now on, we will be equal partners and co -producers, with a reason and role in the European and international defense environment. “
For the Monastery of St. Catherine in Sinai, Mr. Dendias explained that he understood “absolutely the reason why the religious feeling of Greek citizens touches on this issue”. “Our country,” he said, “argues the maintenance of the permanent regime of the monastery, which has been formed over the centuries and I appreciate that this is the friend of Egypt. The Greek government has announced that it is seeking to implement what was agreed by the recent Supreme Cooperation Council of the two countries. “
“I have no special knowledge of developments in my current capacity and it is clear that as a Minister of Defense I have no institutional responsibility. What I can point out, however, based on my experience in the prominent government axiom, is that our relationship with Egypt is of strategic importance, with mutual benefits for our countries, as well as for security and stability in the Southeast Mediterranean. ” “The preservation of this relationship is of great importance, not only for Greece and Egypt, but also for the rest of the states in the wider region. Also, the maintenance of the ownership of the monastery is of great importance to Hellenism, ”concluded Mr. Dendias.