Greece’s military makeover: €25 billion plan to modernize defence

Greece has unveiled an ambitious 12-year defense strategy, committing €25 billion ($26.99 billion) to what Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has described as the "most drastic transformation in the history of the country’s armed forces."

Speaking in Parliament on April 2, Mitsotakis outlined the key pillars of the plan, emphasizing the integration of advanced defense technologies and the active participation of the Greek defense industry in all defense programs, Caliber.Az reports, citing Greek media.

He stressed that modern warfare was rapidly evolving, necessitating a fundamental shift in Greece's military approach.

“We are witnessing a dramatic shift in the operational landscape, from Ukraine to the Middle East. We are now facing a different kind of war than what we were previously accustomed to – at least the kind our armed forces were prepared for,” Mitsotakis stated.

He underscored the necessity of incorporating unmanned vehicles, loitering munitions, drones, anti-drone systems, artificial intelligence (AI), and a robust focus on both cyber-defense and cyber-offense. “These technologies must be integrated into the long-term planning of our armed forces,” he added.

The prime minister also highlighted the crucial role of Greece's defense industry in all future defense programs. “This will be a non-negotiable condition for any major defense investment,” he declared, signaling a strategic shift towards bolstering domestic military production and expertise.

Mitsotakis reinforced the importance of sustained military readiness by quoting the widely attributed phrase to former US President Thomas Jefferson: “The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.” He added, “There can be no progress without security.”

He emphasized that Greece's defense investments were intrinsically linked to the country's sovereignty and national dignity. “Our investments in defense are investments in our sovereignty and the protection of our national dignity,” he said.

Rejecting the conventional "guns or butter" dilemma, Mitsotakis argued that such a perspective was both flawed and dangerous in the current global climate. “Today, as wars reshape borders and challenge international law, and tariffs threaten global economic relations, the notion that we must choose between defense and economic well-being is outdated,” he asserted.

Reflecting on the progress made since his government assumed office in 2019, Mitsotakis acknowledged the dire state of the armed forces at that time due to years of disinvestment. “In July 2019, we inherited a highly problematic situation in the armed forces due to disinvestment. We had to act swiftly, and we did. Today, their condition is unrecognizable compared to what we inherited,” he remarked.

One of the most significant milestones in Greece’s recent defense efforts has been its military cooperation agreement with France, which includes the procurement of 24 Rafale fighter jets and three Belharra-class defense and intervention frigates (FDI). These acquisitions, valued at more than €5.5 billion, have been a cornerstone of the country’s defense modernization.

Mitsotakis also addressed recent salary increases for armed forces personnel, marking the first such adjustment in 14 years. He noted that the decision was made to attract young talent to military academies. Responding to criticism over extending pay raises to other uniformed personnel, he suggested that additional increases could be announced at the Thessaloniki International Trade Fair in September.

Despite this financial flexibility, Mitsotakis made it clear that Greece would remain fiscally responsible. “Not only because the markets are closely monitoring us, but also because the overall performance of the economy is a vital factor for security and stability,” he stated.

By Tamilla Hasanova