The Minister of National Defence, Nikos Dendias, stated on Monday 16 March 2026 from London, where he is currently on a visit, regarding the submission of defence procurement programmes for review by the Special Standing Committee on Defence Procurement Programmes and Contracts of the Hellenic Parliament, the following:

«A series of highly significant defence procurement programmes is being submitted today for review to the Parliament’s Special Standing Committee on Defence Procurement Programmes.

Of course, all of these programmes are included in the Long-term Defence Procurement Plan, which is part of the “Agenda 2030”.

It includes, first and foremost, a massive upgrade of our Country’s air defence capabilities, through the creation of a multi-layered mechanism to counter airborne threats.

This constitutes a key component of the “Achilles’ Shield”, that is, the new Deterrence Programme. I believe that the necessity of this approach has been fully demonstrated on the battlefield. We are finally creating a protective shield for Greek territory with multiple layers of defence against all modern threats, including aircraft, drones, as well as missiles and ballistic missiles. Furthermore, Greek companies will participate in the production of these systems with a share of at least 25%.

In addition, the list of programmes being implemented includes the development of infrastructure for the operational integration of F-35 aircrafts at Andravida Air Base. The F-35s are not just aircraft; they are platforms that usher our Air Force into a new era. It also includes the upgrade of approximately 40 F-16 Block 50 aircraft to Viper standard, so that the country will have over 100 F-16 Vipers.

It also includes the modernization of the MEKO Frigates, in which, of course, Greek shipyards will participate, and a series of “Follow On Support” programmes for aircrafts, including our own C-27 Transport aircraft.

I would, of course, like to emphasize that maintenance contracts, “Follow On Support” contracts, are now treated as procurements programmes, with all the transparency guarantees that this entails, including reporting to the Parliament. I would like to remind you that this has not always been the case. In the past, “Follow On Support” was often handled through operational expenses, with a complete lack of transparency.

Unfortunately, due to the need for me to be in the United Kingdom today to carry out the visit that was postponed last week because of President Macron’s visit to Cyprus and Souda, I will not be able to present these Programmes myself to the Hellenic Parliament. I am certain that the Deputy Minister, Mr. Davakis, will do an excellent job. After all, the Chiefs of Staffs are there to explain whatever the MPs wish to know, so that there is a comprehensive understanding.

However, I believe what really matters is that these Programmes demonstrate how early we had “grasped” the new reality. We have undertaken a comprehensive assessment of the new security environment. And their implementation will lead the Greek Armed Forces into a new era. An era in which they will be the strongest in our Country’s History, and the security they provide to Greek society will be, perhaps at this stage, more essential than ever”.