Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited the National Air Operations Center (EKAE) in Larissa ahead of the New Democracy (ND) pre-conference taking place today in the city. “The Achilles Shield will provide absolute defensive security for our country,” Mitsotakis said, emphasizing that Greeks can trust the Armed Forces during the turbulent times we are experiencing.

Accompanied by Deputy Minister of National Defense Athanasios Davakis, Chief of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff General Dimitrios Choupis, and Chief of the Hellenic Air Force Air Marshal Demosthenis Grigoriadis, the Prime Minister was briefed by Brigadier Theofanis Skafidas on the mission and work of EKAE.

He then visited the 337th Squadron, one of the most historic units of the Hellenic Air Force, and was informed about its role in protecting Greek airspace.

During the visit, he also had the opportunity to speak with pilots about the missions they undertake and issues affecting their daily lives, focusing on the housing program for Armed Forces personnel, which aims to construct and modernize over 17,000 homes in the coming years.

The final stop of the visit was the headquarters of the 337th Squadron, where Mitsotakis toured its museum and learned about its history, from its earliest aircraft and the historic Spitfires to the upgraded F-16 Viper jets it operates today.

Concluding his visit, the Prime Minister said:

“Today, I visited the 110th Combat Wing and the National Air Operations Center.
I had the opportunity to witness, once again, the complete operational readiness of our Armed Forces and the control of Greek airspace. I want to send a message from Larissa today that Greeks must trust the Armed Forces in these troubled times.
The Armed Forces have proven that they possess not only excellent training but also the operational readiness to respond to every challenge, difficulty, and order from the political leadership.
Today, Greece provides security not only for Cyprus but also for Bulgaria, demonstrating that the significant investments made in the Armed Forces have been effective.
I also want to emphasize that we are only at the beginning of a very important program to strengthen national air defense. The ‘Achilles Shield’ is an ambitious program that will provide absolute defensive security for our country against the challenges of today and tomorrow.
Chief, Deputy Minister, I want to thank, through you, all the women and men of the Armed Forces. Once again, you have shown that whenever the homeland needs you, you rise to the occasion.”

ND Pre-Conference

Kyriakos Mitsotakis traveled to Larissa for the New Democracy pre-conference on the theme “Strong Economy – Strong Greece.” The pre-conference is being held at the Grecotel Larissa Imperial Hotel, with the participation of MPs from the Thessaly and Central Greece regions, members of the corresponding local party organizations, and representatives of the central party administration and ONNED.

Before the start of the conference, farmers arrived at the hotel with their tractors requesting a meeting with Mitsotakis. Their request was granted, and the meeting with their delegation took place shortly before the pre-conference sessions began.