Greece plans to acquire an anti-missile, anti-drone dome according to Israel’s model, expressed this morning Defense Minister Nikos Dendias.

“Initiatives have already been taken. It was evident via the wars in Ukraine, Gaza, that Greece needed to acquire air defense and anti-drone capabilities. Imagine it like a church with two separate domes,” Mr. Dendias added speaking on SKAI. “It won’t happen tomorrow morning, but surely in the future. There is a significant budget allocated for this purpose,” he stated.

“Türkiye is weighing in on drone production, however, systemically  Greece did not deem it necessary to fill this gap in its Armed Forces.”

Within this framework Minister of National Defense emphasised that Greece is not an aggressive force but needs to protect its territory. Greece can always defend itself. However, we must take steps to address any threat posed to us.

Message to Türkiye

With reference to provocations from the neighbouring country with regards to Greece’s development of environmental marine parks in the Aegean and in Ionian Minister Dendias expressed that “it is unacceptable that our neighbouring country is persistence on its line that Greece must make for their permission to be given the green light to protect its environmental in the Cyclades.

He continued by stating that if decide to fish on the island of  Antipaxos in the Ionian would the ambassador of Türkiye to Greece need to know.

Defense Minister Dendas stated that the two countries are not returning to previous periods of tension but noted that Türkiye does tend to have a hot-and-cold tactic. Although Greece’s neighbour wants to avoid taking issues to NATO and EU levels, it’s rhetoric does raise eyebrows.

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Dendias went on to emphasise that Greece cannot be bound by Türkiye’s claims in that it would be like acknowledging its right to veto environmental issues.

12 Mile

Regarding the territorial waters to 12 nautical miles, Nikos Dendias replied that “there is a standing national position, which is a sovereign right that will be exercised when national interests call for,” while he characterised “the casus belli as unacceptable. “This s only exposes Türkiye. It is the only country in the world that has issued a war threat to an ally within NATO for a sovereign right arising from international law.”

We must engage in dialogue with Türkiye. Even solving small issues helps. However, this does not mean that we accept the regime of war threat and the Turkish-Libyan memorandum,” concluded the Minister of National Defense on Greek-Turkish relations.

Salaries in the Armed Forces

Regarding the salary issue in the Armed Forces, Nikos Dendias noted in the discussion that ‘we are trying to secure indirect benefits that will compensate for some of the losses. Tomorrow I will be in Orestiada for a housing program for Armed Forces personnel, which will indirectly provide benefits of around 700-800 euros per professional. Additionally, we are addressing the issue of fleet allowance.”

Aegis program

As for the Aegis program, the Minister of National Defense emphasised that “the Armed Forces should be able to assist in civil protection. ‘Vasilis Kikilias is running a program from which the Armed Forces will receive 200 million euros in equipment to be delivered by 2025. This program will allow three dual-use units. It involves machinery to help the Armed Forces in civil protection.”