This year’s military parade celebrating the anniversary of October 28, 1940, in Thessaloniki will carry the “scent” of the new era into which the Armed Forces of our country are entering.

Among other things, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), advanced anti-drone systems, and artificial intelligence weapons are expected to capture the public’s attention.

Specifically, during the parade, we will see up close the capabilities of the Greek-made anti-drone system “Kentavros”, which was successfully tested on Greek frigates participating in Operation Shields in the Red Sea, preventing attacks from Houthi drones.

In addition, the public will be introduced to the electronic warfare weapon “Hyperion”, capable of shooting down enemy drones and intended for use by surface units of the Hellenic Navy, as well as a robotic system for neutralizing improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

At the level of armored vehicles, we will see Army Leopard tanks equipped with special “cages” designed to protect them from possible hits to the turret.

In the air segment, we will see the Greek-made drone “Archytas” and a series of mini drones from the Hellenic Naval Academy. At the same time, unmanned and autonomous helicopters, as well as vertical take-off drones utilizing AI technology, will also take part.

Among other systems, the public will also see up close a range of missiles and state-of-the-art precision-guided bombs with advanced operational capabilities.

The parade in Thessaloniki will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Megas Alexandros Avenue in front of the President of the Republic, Konstantinos Tasoulas, and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. It will also be attended by the Greek Minister of Defense, Nikos Dendias, the Cypriot Minister of Defense, Vassilis Palmas, the PASOK–KINAL president, Nikos Androulakis, the SYRIZA–Progressive Alliance president, Sokratis Famellos, the Metropolitan of Thessaloniki, Philotheos, party representatives, government officials, MPs, the Regional Governor of Central Macedonia, Athina Aidona, the Mayor of Thessaloniki, Stelios Angeloudis, local government officials, and the leadership of the Armed Forces, Security Forces, and consular representatives.

Events in Athens

On October 28, the program of events for the celebration of the 1940 Epic Anniversary in Athens began with ceremonial gun salutes from Lycabettus Hill and a morning reveille played by the bands of the Armed Forces and Security Forces at 6:47 a.m.

This will be followed by wreath-laying ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by various authorities at 10:40 a.m., while the parade of student representatives, scouts, guides, and people with disabilities in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, in the presence of the Minister of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, is scheduled for 11:00 a.m.

Activities and events at the War Museum

On October 28, the War Museum celebrates with a series of activities and events.

Specifically, there will be free admission until 7:00 p.m., as well as free mailing of collectible/numbered “Postcards of 1940” to any destination outside Athens via the Military Postal Service from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Also scheduled are:

• An exhibition of philatelic materials related to the Greek-Italian War epic, presented by philatelist Konstantinos Demisianos, in the foyer exhibition area from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• A word-decoding game from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Free themed tours of the museum halls and the 1940 anniversary diorama from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

In addition, there will be:

• Screenings of anniversary audiovisual material in the permanent exhibition area from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• The opportunity to experience free-fall jumps and fighter aircraft flights via virtual reality (VR) devices in the foyer exhibition space from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• An interactive VR presentation with a high-definition screen of the “Roupel Fort” battle and equipment in the “Battle of the Forts” hall on the first floor from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Throughout the museum, visitors will also be able to see AI-enhanced projections of paintings by Alexandros Alexandrakis, the painter of the “’40 Epic,” from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
In the “Ioannis Kapodistrias” amphitheater, there will be a Shadow Theatre performance by Nikos Kastanis titled “The Hero Dimitrios Itsios” at 12:45 p.m.

Visits to warships and a submarine in Piraeus

As part of the celebration of the 1940 Epic, the frigate “Psara”, the guided-missile fast patrol boat “Karathanasis”, and the submarine “Pipinos” have docked at the Piraeus Port Authority (OLP).

The frigate “Psara” is of the MEKO 200 class, German-designed and built by Hellenic Shipyards, and was delivered to the Hellenic Navy in April 1998.
The fast guided-missile patrol boat “Karathanasis” is named in honor of Lieutenant Commander Christodoulos Karathanasis, who fell in action during the Imia crisis.
The submarine “Pipinos” is the second submarine of the “Papanikolis” class and the first built at the Skaramangas shipyards under the “Archimedes” program. Its construction was completed in April 2014.