Today, Saturday 9 May 2026, the Minister of National Defence, Nikos Dendias, visited the HQ of the 34 th Mechanised Brigade “COLONEL DIALETIS DETACHMENT” in Assiros, Thessaloniki. The Minister was accompanied by the Chief HAGS, Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis.

During his visit, the Minister, accompanied by the Deputy Commanding General of the Supreme Military Command of Epirus and Macedonia/NRDC- GR “ALEXANDER THE GREAT”, Major General Nikolaos Gallios, and the Commanding General of the II Mechanised Infantry Division “ELASSON”, Major General Alexandros Koufopoulos, was given a tour of the soldier training grounds, as well as the personnel accommodation and messing facilities, and was briefed by the Commanding General of the 34 th Mechanised Brigade, Brigadier General Konstantinos Pliatsikas, on the implementation of the New National Service in the Framework of the “Agenda 2030”.

After the conclusion of the visit, Mr. Dendias stated the following:

“My presence today at the 34 th Mechanised Brigade, here in Assiros, is of particular importance, since, in a week, the A Enlistment Series Soldiers will complete their basic training and will be evaluated by specialised evaluation committees.

This is the first time that enlisted soldiers experience the New National Service, a part of the “Agenda 2030”. A national service, which we believe will have substance and will not simply be treated as another typical obligation.

The first ten weeks of basic training are an essential preparation. With fire training, marches, day and night exercises, instruction in new techniques, such as dealing with technological assets, familiarisation with drones, anti- drone systems, with one clear aim: that every enlisted soldier acquires the necessary skills to be of use to the Country. To be useful to himself, and also maintain capabilities after his discharge.

As you know, in the meanwhile we have invested in the improvement of living conditions, by raising the stipend from 8.8 to 100 euros for those serving in border regions, 50 for those serving elsewhere, who, anyway, are now little more than 20%.

With a new supply regulation, and also the acquisition of certified skills and capabilities.

To be faithful to the Hellenic tradition, a tradition existing since antiquity: An army of citizens.

The Country recognises how precious the contribution of every Greek woman and man is, how they sacrifice a significant portion of their time in its service. I am of course referring to our professional cadres, yet soon enough, in the framework of the New National Service, we will have female enlisted soldiers for the first time, with the B Enlistment Series, but that is a subject to be analysed in due time.

I would like to thank and congratulate the Officers, the instructors, those who are managing and instructing the youth in this very great effort, which is absolutely necessary to Greece”.