The Minister of National Defence Mr Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos attended today, Tuesday 8 November 2022, the official celebration for the Patron of the Hellenic Air Force, Archangel Michael, which took place at the Hellenic Air Force Academy in Dekeleia.
The Chief of HAGS Lieutenant General Charalambos Lalousis, the Chief of HNGS Vice Admiral Stylianos Petrakis and the Chief of HAFGS Lieutenant General Themistoklis Bourolias attended the event. Other attendants were MPs, foreign countries’ Defence Attachés, retired chiefs and officers of the Air Force.
After the conclusion of the ceremony, the Minister of National Defence made the following statements to the reporters covering military affairs:
JOURNALIST: Yesterday you were briefed about the developments regarding the Greek frigates. We learned that we have expressed interest for the corvettes’ programme. How does the country advance in terms of armaments?
NIKOLAOS PANAGIOTOPOULOS: We have stated, in every shape and form and to all directions that the intensive effort for the further enhancement of the Armed Forces with assets will not cease. So, in the context of this effort, today – during the celebration of the Air Force – two new “Rafale” aircraft flew, from the second group of six which as you know are currently in the process of delivery to the Air Force. They just arrived from France. They were received by another “Rafale” aircraft which took off from the air base in Tanagra.
If only we could have one or more new assets flying the Greek skies, in each celebration of the Air Force. As you understand, this is a mighty symbolism. The next four “Rafale” aircraft from the second group of six will be delivered in the near future, at a rate of approximately one per month. And this will not be the end.
As I told you, the Air Force has a bright future ahead of it, since the “Rafale” aircraft are already in the process of integration, the upgrade of the eighty-three F-16 to the “Viper” configuration is advancing rapidly, which is the most advanced configuration in the world today. The decision has been made for the upgrade of the F-16 Block 50. Greece has entered the F-35 programme, in a few months we will receive a response to the LOR we have sent, so as to push the procedure forward and more will follow.
More inter-service capabilities, more network centred capabilities, since in the modern digital era, the speed of information’s transmission to the operator and from the operator to other assets and other Branches is significant and helpful for the better execution of their mission. The Hellenic Air Force is entering this era.
Since I am talking about the digital era, yesterday in France at the “Group Naval” shipyards, in Loriant, northwestern France, I attended the launching ceremony of the first “Belharra” FDI frigate, in service of the French Navy – the first ship of its type launched these days – of course in the presence (and after being invited) of my counterpart, the Minister of the French Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu.
A great day for the French Armed Forces, for the French Navy, but also significant for the Hellenic Armed Forces, since the second ship follows for service in the Hellenic Navy. So the second frigate is already being built there at the “Group Naval” shipyards, with rapid pace. The programme is ahead in terms of the delivery timetable. As you know, the two ships will be delivered to the Hellenic Navy, at the beginning and towards the end of 2025. So we are in schedule, with rapid pace and I had the chance to personally observe the shipbuilding works, the capabilities of this great ship, especially its digital capabilities, since in essence it also can be converted into a digital centre for the transmission and processing of any information, a capacity which as it can be understood, establishes new capabilities to the tactical environment, the naval and beyond, as well as the great capabilities it has at the level of armament.
I had the opportunity for a tour along with the company’s people, with the personnel which will staff the ship, since the Captain and the crew have already been selected, and exchange views with the Echelon of the Hellenic Navy, meaning the members of the Hellenic Navy present here in Loriant for some time now, closely monitoring the whole process, interconnecting the manufacturing company with the companies of the Hellenic Defence Industry. Contracts have already been signed so that they can participate in this programme taking place in France, which also engages Greek companies.
The strategic relationship with France is evolving. It is proven through these programmes that move rapidly forward and I think that the great benefit is that the Hellenic Armed Forces are being enhanced with state of the art assets, in the air and at the sea and furthermore with rapid pace.
JOURNALIST: What about the corvettes?
NIKOLAOS PANAGIOTOPOULOS: The issue of the corvettes is a decision which will concern us in the immediate future. We are waiting for the final recommendations by the French and Italians, who are currently in the final stages of selection.
These recommendations pertain to funding, meaning the payment programme, which we would like to be as favourable as possible, so that we can cover it through our financial planning. It pertains to the delivery timetables and of course to the issue of shipbuilding at a Greek or many Greek shipyards.
If sufficient and satisfying answers are given in these questions, they will of course be evaluated by the Hellenic Navy. I think we are close to a decision, surely before the end of this year, regarding this issue. And of course we can exercise the option for a fourth frigate, depending on the evaluation of the final recommendations by the remaining bidders for that programme. I would say that we are close to certain decisions.
JOURNALIST: Minister, did you and your counterpart send, once more, a message for the united front of Greece and France against revisionism, against provocations? Is the alliance with France still strong?
NIKOLAOS PANAGIOTOPOULOS: Of course, during the discussion between the Greek and the French delegations, with my counterpart being the head of the latter, the Minister of the French Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu, these issues were also raised. We once more ascertained our common volition to cooperate, so that those who desire peace, security and stability in Southwestern Europe will prevail.
This is of great significance. Everyone understands the differences we have, the existing tensions, the provocations, but also the insults. I also mentioned the insults made daily by our neighbours. All of us would like to reach a better level of understanding, but for that to happen, the rhetoric must change and a less hostile stance must be adopted.
Our allies are close and I would say that the French are closer to us, at the level of the European Union, as the allies who always understood our arguments and stood by our side, at the level of policy, but also at the level of deeds. All these armament programmes with France, the agreement we have signed, the provision of mutual defence assistance included in this agreement, the view expressed by them that this provision must be implemented, if required, are elements that I think prove, in the best way, the quality and the extent of this allied relationship.
