The Deputy Minister of National Defence Mr Ioannis Kefalogiannis, attended today Monday 18 December 2023, accompanied by the Chief of HNDGS General Konstantinos Floros, the inauguration ceremony of the new Military Post Exchange in Chaidari and afterwards visited the new military housing complex for Officers, NCOs and Professional Soldiers, at the “KARAISKAKIS” Camp in Chaidari. There he was received by the Chief of HAGS Lieutenant General Angelos Choudeloudis, the Army Inspector General Lieutenant General Anastasios Spanos and the Commander of the Higher Military Command of Army Support Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis.
Mr Kefalogiannis was given a tour of the Chaidari Post Exchange facilities, which is the second largest Military Post Exchange in Attica, following that of Vyronas and it includes a grocery store, a mall and a playground. He also visited the newly built military housing facilities for Officers, NCOs and Professional Soldiers and was briefed by the Director of Eng Dte/Higher Military Command of Army Support Colonel Athanasas Georgios.
In his brief address, the Deputy Minister of National Defence underlined that the above constitute two significant projects which come to cover on one hand the living needs of approximately 600 families of Armed Forces members, living in the wider region of Western Attica and on the other hand the housing needs of 48 families of members serving in Athens Garrison. At the same time, he announced that an extended housing project of the Ministry of National Defence is implemented, through which 1400 residencies will be delivered throughout the territory, in areas where there is increased need for the members of the Armed Forces, starting from 13 Aegean islands, where an effort is made for the delivery of 500 residencies in the summer of 2026.
In his address, the Deputy Minister stated the following:
Today I attend, with particular pleasure, the inauguration of the new Military Post Exchange, as well as the new housing complex for Officers and Professional Soldiers at “KARAISKAKIS” Camp, here in Chaidari. Two significant projects which come to cover on one hand the living needs of approximately 600 families of Armed Forces members, living in the wider region of Western Attica and on the other hand the housing needs of 48 families of members serving in Athens Garrison. Projects like those delivered today constitute the evidence of priorities set by the Ministry of National Defence for the care and constant satisfaction of family needs of the Armed Forces personnel. They simultaneously constitute an example of substantial utilisation of the Armed Forces real estate, through the use of the above landed property as residencies for the transferred members, who face great difficulty in finding a house, because of the increased demand and the limited availability of houses.
Personally, I am particularly happy because, within only five months, we were able to shape, in cooperation with the General Staffs, a realistic picture of the housing needs of the members and we have located that real estate, through modern financing tools, which will be able to be utilised for the construction of modern residencies. Therefore, we set in motion an ambitious housing project, through which 1400 residencies will be delivered throughout the  Τerritory, in areas where there is increased need for our members, beginning from 13 Aegean islands, where an effort is made for the delivery of 500 residencies in the summer of 2026. At the same time, through this housing project, we wish to promote the essence and the context of the social policy and contribution of the Armed Forces, since part of these residencies can be also used by other groups of Public Sector workers, who are called by the State to serve needs existing in areas far from the location of their permanent residence: Workers, like the Armed Forces members, who are faced with the cost of rent in the large urban centres and the popular tourist destinations, which often exceeds half of their salaries.
With the delivery of the modern military facilities and the progress of the other constructions, already under way, an ambitious plan is materialised, which corresponds to the wishes of the Ministry of National Defence. I would like to stress that we are undoubtedly going through a difficult period, between two developing wars in our wider region. Greece’s national interests always constitute the highest priority for the Ministry of National Defence. Our Armed Forces, with their substantial deterrent force and operational capability and readiness, succeed in the maximum of response against any new challenge
posed by the modern geopolitical environment of instability. That way, they secure and protect our territorial integrity, national independence and sovereignty and the security of our citizens from any external threat or attack and they defend our National interests in the best possible way, dealing effectively with the challenges, no matter where they stem from. Thus, the care for the members and their families constitutes a national force multiplier for the Ministry of national defence. The contribution to the personnel is recognised as a main priority, with emphasis in the facilitation of everyday living for them and their families, allowing for the effective fulfilment of their mission. In this context, the facilities we inaugurate today constitute the minimum token of appreciation, from the State to the Armed Forces personnel and to the exquisite work they achieve. I wish you and your families happy holidays, health, love, individual and familial progress.
Thank you”.