On Wednesday 14 May 2025, in the presence of the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias, the ceremony of incorporation of the technologically advanced V-BAT Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems to the headquarters of the Higher Military Command of Interior and Islands took place, constituting a donation of the “Athanasios C. Laskaridis” Charitable Foundation.
With the acquisition of the new V-BAT Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems, the Armed Forces obtain increased operational capabilities, like facility in transportation, flexibility in the conduct of operations, high flight autonomy, and capability of operation during movement.
The ceremony was also attended by the Secretary General of National Security of the Cabinet Thanos Ntokos, Chief/HAGS Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis, Chief/HNGS Vice Admiral Dimitrios-Eleftherios Kataras HN, Chief/HAFGS Lieutenant General Dimosthenis Gregoriadis, the Chief of the Hellenic Port Authority – Coastguard Vice Admiral Tryfon Kontizas, a representative of the Chief of the Hellenic Police, a representative of the Chief of the Hellenic Fire Corps, the Commanding General of the Higher Army Support Military Command Lieutenant General Dimitrios Vakentis, the Commanding General of the Special Warfare Command Lieutenant General Georgios Manouras, the honorary Rear Admiral Panagiotis Laskaridis and the benefactor Athanasios Laskaridis.
The Defence Minister stated in his address:
“It is a great honour for me as Minister of National Defence to be in the ceremony of incorporation of the V-BAT Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems to the Hellenic Army, to the Hellenic Armed Forces.
It is an innovation for us. It is obvious from what you have seen that their incorporation greatly upgrades our capabilities. I also think that it is made understood that in order to gain the lost ground quickly, we enter a new era. It is a new era that is absolutely necessary to enter in order to operate successfully, in the unfortunate instance of a war, but mainly to deter a conflict.
In addition, as you know, our new research centre, the Hellenic Centre for Defence Innovation, has already announced four innovative development projects of unmanned vehicles and it will announce two more until the end of the year, incorporating them to a new doctrine and to a new overall approach.
What you see, what you will see, are sub-systems of this holistic approach called “Shield of Achilles”, but it is a great pleasure for the Armed Forces to see that in the effort for this huge transformation-the Prime Minister has said that it is the greatest transformation ever made in the Hellenic Armed Forces in the history of modern Greece-the Armed Forces are not alone.
Prominent Greeks help, support. Mr Thanos Laskaridis is one of them. Today’s donation is not his first. I would like to remind you the donation for the building of the Cyberspace Special Unit, which is developing swiftly and I hope that we will be ready to present it along with the inauguration of the new facade of the Ministry, on the National Anniversary of 28th October.
This building will accommodate unit “1864”, I would like to remind you, which along with the new two units, the Unit of Electronic Information and the Unit of Space Applications, “1821” and “1912” respectively, will give us new capabilities, truly new capabilities, a new perspective.
I would like to make a short reference to what Mr Thanos Laskaridis said regarding donations.
In 2023, Mr President, the donations to the Ministry of National Defence did not exceed the amount of 300,000. It was approximately, if I recall correctly, 234,000 Euros. Last year we reached the amount of 23.5 million Euros. This year, our prediction is that we will exceed the amount of 30 million Euros.
I do not dare to hope for a goal as ambitious as the one that Mr Laskaridis has set, 1 billion Euros. However, we can try to exceed it and I think that a lot of Greeks will relate to the example that Mr Laskaridis and his family have set today for society.
I conclude by saying that we are a small country, but this does not mean that we must be a country which is not strong. There are historical examples of small but extremely strong and successful countries. I think that with the transformation in process, we are on a good path.
Again, Mr Laskaridis, on behalf of the Armed Forces, but I think on behalf of the Government as well, in the presence of the Prime Minister and the Greek society, I would like to thank you deeply for this new donation of yours”.
