On Tuesday, 01 June 2021, the Minister of National Defence Mr. Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos visited the Air Base of Dekelia – Tatoi and attended the reception ceremony for the “Spitfire MJ755” Aircraft at the Air Force Museum.

The ceremony was also attended by the Deputy Minister of National Defence Mr. Alkiviadis Stefanis, the Chief/HNDGS General Konstantinos Floros, the Chief/HAFGS Lieutenant General Georgios Blioumis, the Chief/HAGS Lieutenant General Charalambos Laloussis and the Chief/HNGS Vice Admiral Stylianos Petrakis. The UK Ambassador to Greece Ms. Kate Smith and the President of “Ikaros” Institution Mr. Peter Livanos also attended the ceremony.

The anniversary aircraft “Spitfire”, the legendary war aircraft of World War II, flies again in the Greek sky after 68 years, following its reconstruction in the UK, in order to acquire a flying status. The aircraft’s reconstruction, on behalf of the Air Force, was financed by “Ikaros” Institution.

The famous fighter of the British Air Force started its course from Great Britain, refuelled in France and next in Italy, and from Brindisi it first landed on “Ioannis Kapodistrias” airport in Corfu, to later reach the airport of Araxos, and finally land in Tatoi.

The Minister of National Defence pointed out the following in his address:

“Ladies and gentlemen,

This is another great day for the Air Force, with a special historic benefit. A legendary flying machine is presented before you, probably the most famous fighter ever flown, the “Spitfire”, baring the Greek Colours, the Colours of the Air Force. It is a fighter which in practice won the Battle of England and was instrumental in the final course of World War II. “Never was so much owed by so many to so few” Winston Churchill had said at that time. Today we recall that those few had as a basic tool to fight this very aircraft, the amazing “Spitfire”.

Of course it is a day worth offering a lot of congratulations to the contributors, especially to an eminent Greek abroad, Mr. Peter Livanos, whose love for air navigation and the effort to restore old historic aircraft was transformed into National contribution. For this, Mr. Livanos, we thank you, we thank “Ikaros” Institution and all the contributors of course, as well as the people of the Air Force who embraced this attempt from the first moment, so that today we have the pleasure and honour to enjoy the first Greek “Spitfire” flying again, after so many years.

If I could (although I am not an expert and I would never declare myself an expert) give an advice to the man who will fly the aircraft, I will use the words of the pilot -you know him very well Mr. Livanos- who flew the aircraft: “This aircraft has its own energy, try to fly with it”.

So, the Greek “Spitfire” will soon fly in the Greek skies and will certify once more that the Air Force is always present. History continues and evolves and it is one of the main contributors of the strong presence, the powerful deterrent imprint of the Armed Forces, which is reinforced even more. This struggle -which is also our own- is continuous and intensive. It never stops and it will never stop, as history evolves too. Warm congratulations to all contributors once more.

Thank you for your attention”.