What will happen to military service: "It is needed, especially in the midst of tensions with Turkey"

The increase in compulsory military service is being considered by the Ministry of National Defense, however the changes will not be immediate as the main concern is the defense shield of Greece with armament programs.

On the table is the increase of military service from 9 months - as it is today - to 12, but this is not expected to happen in the near future.

Ministry of Defense circles confirm to Sputnik Hellas that the issue of increasing military service is being considered, however it is not at the top of the list of priorities of the political leadership.

"The issue is under consideration, but at the current juncture and in the coming months the priority will be the supply of Rafale aircraft to replace the old Mirage," sources said.

"The upgrade of the F-16s will follow, as well as the examination of the issues concerning the supply of frigates, drones, but also new equipment for the Armed Forces," the sources added.

After all, a lot of information from last September talked about an increase in tmilitary service from January 2021, something that was not confirmed.

On Monday, government spokesman Christos Tarantilis left open the possibility of increasing military service to 12 months from 9.

"The prime minister has in the past spoken out on the need to strengthen the Armed Forces. I think that the increase of the mandate in the Army belongs to this context," he stressed.

It is recalled that the increase in military service was practically announced last October by the Minister of Defense Nikos Panagiotopoulos.

Retired air force commander Evangelos Georgousis told Sputnik Hellas that he is positive about the increase in the term for the Army.

"My view is that military service should be increased, but with asterisks. The most important thing of all is to make proper use of the time that one serves depending on the utilization of the possibilities and the education of the citizen."

At the same time, he stressed that the low birth rate has created gaps in the human resources of the country's Armed Forces.

These gaps, do not exist so much in the Navy and Air Force.

"So the increase of the term is needed in the midst of, in fact, a tense climate with Turkey," he concluded.