On Tuesday 4 February 2025, the Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias attended the presentation of the “Modern Fighter” upgrade programme held at the “Major General Alexandros Xiros” auditorium of the Hellenic Military Academy (Evelpidon).
The programme aims to upgrade the current equipment issued to soldiers in order for them to respond to the modern and ever changing battlefield. The upgrade structure includes five levels, namely survival, communication, awareness, agility, and firepower.
Other attendants were the Chief/HNDGS, General Dimitrios Choupis, the Chief/HAGS. Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis, the Chief/HNGS, Vice Admiral Dimitrios–Eleftherios Kataras HN, and the Chief/HAFGS Lieutenant General Dimosthenis Grigoriadis.
The presentation was also attended by members of the Supreme Military Council, Officers, Military Academy Cadets, representatives of the Chiefs of the Security Forces, as well as honorary Chiefs HAGS and Chiefs of Cypriot National Guard General Staff.
The Minister was welcomed to the Hellenic Military Academy by its Commandant, Major General Anastasios Polychronos.
In his address Mr. Dendias stated:
“Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today’s event is very important for the Ministry of National Defence and the Armed Forces. Perhaps one of the most concrete steps in the realisation of the “2030 Agenda”, since it directly concerns the soldier, the front line fighter. The Greek fighter, that is, the heart of our Country’s Armed Forces.
I need not state the obvious: Modern Armed Forces are inconceivable without modern fighters.
Also, as I think you have realised, the modern battlefield requires new equipment for each individual fighter, offering protection, agility, and firepower.
A series of changes, including “Kevlar” helmets, webbings with anti-ballistic protection, modern masks, sensor-equipped uniforms, scopes, protective goggles, first aid kit, pouches of various kinds, Command and Control Systems, equipment, the procurement of a new sniper rifle, the upgrade of the familiar G3 rifle, a very long list of changes to the fighter’s equipment. I believe none of the old equipment will remain. Not even the boots.
We are thus creating a new reality. A 21st Century Greek soldier.
This specific programme has been included in the Long Term Programme of Defence Armaments. Its funding amounts to 204 million euros. Its implementation will start immediately. The timetable of its completion for the entire Hellenic Army by 2030 will be presented.
I would, like to mention something else, however, which has not, heretofore been very common in our Country. The financial footprint on the domestic defence industry.
The Hellenic defence industry is capable of producing approximately 90%, if not more, of what you previously saw in the presentation.
It thus confirms our choice for our defence ecosystem to become a driver of development for our economy.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
To this day, though the Greek taxpayer can ill afford it, literally, more than 250 billion euros has been spent on the Country’s defence. I am talking about armament programmes, not salaries. Out of this massive sum, from 1974 to this day, little has been absorbed into our Country’s defence ecosystem. One of the goals of this ambitious Agenda is to change this. To change it, first as a mindset, and then in reality.
I come back to the armaments, which are an investment in the defence and in the Greek soldier, the Greek fighter. The person who guarantees the integrity and independence of our Country with his own life.
For I think that the best weapons system is exactly this, a trained 21st century Greek fighter.
Thank you very much”.
The “Modern Fighter” programme, with an estimated cost of 204 million euros, will be mainly implemented through the cooperation of the 700th Military Plant and the 301st Base Plant with Greek companies, while the first delivery of equipment is estimated to take place in the summer of 2026.
