The framework of the service changes, Greek-Turkish relations, the domestic defense industry, and the “Agenda 2030”, Nikos Dendias, the Minister of National Defense, spoke in an interview with “Naftemporiki”

Dendias referred to Turkey’s pursuit to join the EU’s SAFE programme, saying: “The partners must decide what kind of Europe they want. There is no Europe without principles, values, and respect for the rules of international law. It is also unthinkable that countries that threaten EU member states or that do not recognise EU members should indiscriminately participate in the project of rearming Europe. And there can be no demand, for the sake of mainly “economic interests”, to turn some countries into “Iphigenes” of Western value culture.

On Greek-Turkish relations, he said: “Regarding the ‘good atmosphere’, I would like to underline that this narrative that Turkey may be using cannot be considered credible. I hope that the partners do not perceive it as such either, especially when, among other things, the threat of war against Greece is still in force, the Turkish-Cypriot memorandum is in place, a negative attitude towards the resolution of the Cyprus problem is maintained and directly contrary to the UN Security Council resolutions, and an ever-expanding agenda of claims based on the revisionist doctrine of the “blue homeland” is put forward. The Turks cannot claim calm on the ground, following the reaction to the issue of the Greek-Cypriot electrical interconnection.”

On the “Agenda 2030”, he said that “it is not just a strategic document of intentions, nor a conjunctural political announcement. It constitutes a coherent, institutionally based and long-term defence reform, which reflects the decision of the Hellenic Republic to build the strongest and most technologically modern Armed Forces. It is not a sum of arms procurement. It is about a comprehensive approach to the redefinition of our operational doctrine, the administrative restructuring of the Branches, and the integration of new technologies in our planning.”

He added: “Emblematic means to enhance our homeland’s deterrence capability are the Achilles Shield (a holistic approach to effectively countering hostile air, sea and undersea threats using artificial intelligence), the operational integration of the F-35 fighter aircraft; the full operational exploitation of FDI frigates; the implementation of net-centric Command & Control structures; the enhancement of our cyber security capabilities; and the implementation of the new Force Structure. The 2030 Agenda is not being developed in the absence of the European framework. It is fully aligned with the European Commission’s Readiness 2030 initiative, the evolution of the original ReArm Europe plan announced in March 2025. To sum up, Agenda 2030 is not an administrative file that remains in drawers. It is the implementation of a new concept through which Greece can become a pillar of security for the European Union and the wider region.”

On the issue of drones, the Defense Minister said that “actions are being implemented regarding training in countering UAVs. Officers of the Armed Forces will participate in training programs at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, as part of the Joint Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft Systems University, acquiring specialized knowledge, on the model of which the creation of a similar training center in Greece is planned. Counter-unmanned systems scenarios are incorporated into all Armed Forces training activities, enhancing the operational readiness and adaptability of our units to modern threats. As part of the changes planned in the service, all conscripts will know how to operate drone and anti-drone systems.”