Greece plans to significantly strengthen its rocket artillery capabilities in 2025, focusing on acquiring systems with a range of up to 300 kilometers.
Tag: Nikos Dendias
Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias praised "Agenda 2030" as a transformative plan that strengthens the Armed Forces and renews their bond with society. Highlighting 2024 as a pivotal year, he emphasised the agenda's role in modernising defense while honoring Greece's timeless values and traditions.
Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias visited Alexandroupolis on Christmas Day, emphasising the city’s role in regional stability and energy security. During his visit, he attended a Christmas liturgy, met with military leaders, and greeted border guards at the Kipi Bridge, reaffirming Greece’s commitment to sovereignty, international law, and peaceful coexistence in the Balkans and the Mediterranean.
Greece is set to bolster its national defence with an advanced anti-aircraft and anti-ballistic system inspired by Israel's "Iron Dome." Defence Minister Nikos Dendias outlined a three-phase plan to establish the system, including creating a new command structure, launching an international tender in 2025, and achieving full operational deployment by summer 2026. The initiative aims to enhance Greece's airspace security and strengthen its regional defence capabilities.
Greece's ruling New Democracy party has approved the 2025 budget with a focus on increased defense spending, gaining strong cross-party support amid economic challenges. This decision highlights Greece's strategic commitment within NATO, as tensions with neighboring Turkey persist. Meanwhile, social unrest grows due to rising prices of essential goods, adding to the political complexities facing the government.
New Turkish provocations have surfaced, with politicians and media from Turkey describing the Greek islands Pserimos, Kinaro, and Levitha as "Turkish islands." This claim followed a visit in September by Greek Minister of Defense Nikos Dendias to these islands, where he toured by helicopter and posed with Greek soldiers. Turkish sources argue that this visit violated the Treaty of Lausanne, sparking criticism and claims of airspace violations by figures like Eylem Ertugrul from the opposition Kemalist Republican People's Party.
In a recent announcement at the Naval Cadet School during St. Nicholas Day celebrations, Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias detailed plans to fortify security in the Aegean. Central to this strategy is the "Agenda 2030," which includes creating a flexible "missile wall" utilizing various Aegean islands as defensive power units to protect Greek sovereignty. The initiative underscores Greece's commitment to a modern, powerful Navy, addressing both technological advancements and personnel needs.
In a critical diplomatic meeting, Greek Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte discussed key security issues, including the situation in Ukraine, EU-NATO relations, and Greece's role as a stabilizing force in the Eastern Mediterranean. The talks underscored Greece's strategic importance within NATO and emphasized cooperation on regional and international security challenges.
November 21 is a day of celebrating the Greek Armed Forces and the Presentation of…
Turkish media has been abuzz following Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias' announcement of a substantial military upgrade for Greece, sparking headlines suggesting Greece is on the verge of preparing for conflict. The planned overhaul includes a 20-year defense strategy with significant investments in an advanced anti-aircraft system, developed in collaboration with Israel.
Greece is embarking on a major overhaul of its Armed Forces, integrating cutting-edge technologies like anti-drone systems and modernising its Navy to enhance strategic strike and power-projection capabilities. Defence Minister Nikos Dendias announced plans to close 137 military camps by 2025, introduce drone capabilities across the Army, and invest billions in upgrading warships, submarines, and missile systems.
The Church of Cyprus has donated €1 million to the Hellenic Naval Academy, as announced by Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias. The funds, ordered by Archbishop Georgios, will support improvements in the salaries, careers, and facilities of the academy's cadets. Established in 1845 in Piraeus, the academy trains around 400 cadets annually.
Greece’s Minister of Defence, Nikos Dendias, attended a celebration at the Icaron School today to honour the Hellenic Air Force on the feast day of its Patron Saint, Archangel Michael. Dendias praised the dedication of the Air Force personnel, emphasising their vital role in safeguarding Greece’s national sovereignty and airspace. He also conveyed his gratitude for their ongoing contribution to the nation’s security, offering a heartfelt tribute to the pilots and all members of the Air Force who protect the country's territorial integrity every day.
Greece aims to build the strongest Armed Forces in its history by 2030, ensuring unparalleled security for its citizens, according to Defence Minister Nikos Dendias. Key measures include a comprehensive anti-missile defence dome, enhanced naval deterrence in the Aegean, and the deployment of the advanced ‘Kentavros’ anti-drone system on Greek frigates. These initiatives mark a significant modernisation of Greece’s military capabilities.
Greek Chief of General Staff, General Dimitris Houpis, participated in a parachute jump alongside reserve paratroopers in Megara as part of the “Citizen-Soldier” initiative. The exercise, aimed at strengthening ties between active military and reserve forces, reflects ongoing efforts to enhance Greece’s defence readiness and promote volunteerism among reservists.
BELGRADE—Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias met with his Serbian counterpart, Bratislav Gacic, in Belgrade on…
Greece has assumed naval command of the EU’s Operation ASPIDES, a joint EU-NATO mission in the Red Sea aimed at protecting commercial vessels amid rising security threats. The formal handover ceremony in Djibouti saw Greece’s Defense Minister Nikos Dendias underscore the mission’s significance, highlighting Greece’s commitment to maritime security and international law. Captain Konstantinos Pitykakis of the Hellenic Navy accepted the command on behalf of Greece, taking the lead in ensuring safe passage in this strategic waterway.
Greece is set to take command of the EU's Operation Aspides, a naval mission protecting commercial vessels in the Red Sea from Houthi rebel attacks. Starting November 1, Commodore Konstantinos Pitykakis will lead the operation aboard the Italian destroyer "Andrea Doria," with Greece contributing the Spetsai frigate. The mission has successfully completed over 260 operations since its launch.
In an interview with Kathimerini, Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias urged the U.S. to fulfill commitments outlined in Secretary of State Antony Blinken's letter to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. He called for a comprehensive defence strategy, including missile systems on Greek islands, to strengthen deterrence in the Aegean Sea. Dendias also ruled out a presidential bid in 2025, emphasising the need for broad political support for the role, while announcing plans to improve conditions for military personnel and enhance military academy admissions.
Greek National Defence Minister Nikos Dendias attended a key meeting in Venice on Monday with defense ministers from the Adriatic and Ionian Initiative (ADRION). The gathering, hosted at the Institute of Military and Naval Studies, focused on enhancing regional cooperation and improving naval interoperability to tackle shared security challenges in the region. Greece, holding the presidency of the initiative until May 2025, is leading efforts to bolster defense collaboration among Adriatic and Ionian nations.