The Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias, addressed the following Order of the Day to the Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, Soldiers, Seamen, Airmen, National Guards, Reserves, and Civilian Personnel of the Armed Forces, on the occasion of the National Anniversary of the 25th of March 1821: “Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, Soldiers, Seamen, Airmen, Reserves and Civilian Personnel, Today marks the beginning of our National Palingenesis. We honour the Fighters, who chose to rise and claim their Independence from Ottoman oppression. The historic path of Hellenism is a path of Struggles. The Freedom of nations has not been granted for free during the course of humanity. The independence that we enjoy today, the Country, which we have built, the Hellenic Republic, are all the result of constant effort making. Besides, History has taught us that nothing is to be taken for granted. National Sovereignty requires vigilance. It mainly requires the Strength to protect it. Hence, it requires Powerful Armed Forces. The geopolitical reality confirms this fact daily. Greece is located in an area of multiple complex challenges. From traditional military conflicts to hybrid threats, the safety of our country requires a new strategic approach and modern, Force multiplying assets. Thus, Greece does not remain complacent. We are implementing the biggest Armed Forces reform in the history of the Modern Hellenic Nation, with the “Agenda 2030”. • We are multiplying our operational capabilities. • We are modernising our equipment. • We are investing in innovation and new technologies. • We are upgrading our defence infrastructure. • We are fortifying our strategic position in the broader region. Greece has historically maintained a deterrent attitude in its strategy. Maintaining its sovereign rights with dedication to International Law and the principles of peaceful co-existence. The National Anniversary coincides with the celebration of the Annunciation of the Theotokos, the Patron Saint of our Armed Forces. The Orthodox faith is, as I have repeated numerous times, an element of the identity of Modern Hellenism. It is only by maintaining the elements of our national identity thriving, that Greece will stand strong, stable and dominant, ready to respond to the challenges of the times. And it is the current time that calls us to be vigilant. Today is not only a day of remembrance. It is mainly a day of responsibility. We have to be as worthy as our ancestors, with unity, determination, and strategic potential. We have to remember that the Armed Forces are the foundation of our society’s National Security. That means the Security of all Greek women and men. I would like to thank you for your dedication to your duty. For your commitment to the Country. For your contribution in maintaining peace, stability, and our freedom. May Virgin Mary protect all of you, your families, and, of course, the whole nation. Long live the 25th of March 1821! Long live the Armed Forces! Long live Greece!”.

March 21, 2025

On Friday 21 March 2025, President of the Republic Konstantinos Tasoulas visited the Ministry of National Defence, where he was greeted by the Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias, accompanied by the Chief/HNDGS General Dimitrios Choupis.

A detailed briefing of the President of the Republic followed in the “Ioannis Kapodistrias” Hall of the Ministry of National Defence, concerning the security situation in the broader region, the mission and work of the Armed Forces, as well as the reforms underway, in the framework of the “2030 Agenda”.

The briefing was attended by the Deputy Minister of National Defence Thanasis Davakis, Secretary General Antonios Oikonomou, the Chief/HAGS Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis, the Chief/HNGS Dimitrios-Eleftherios Kataras HN, the Chief/HAFGS Lieutenant General (Pilot) Dimosthenis Grigoriadis, General Directors and personnel of the Ministry of National Defence.

The Minister of National Defence stated in his address:

Your Excellence, President of the Republic,

I think that your presence here today, in the framework of your first visit to the Ministry of National Defence as President of the Republic, reflects the symbolism you intended to showcase with your presence. That is, the close link of our State with our Country’s Armed Forces.

As we all know, the reshuffling on the global security scene has reached historic proportions. The security challenges in the broader region, and the wider world are huge. The conditions exacerbate already existing security concerns for our Country, and we cannot turn a blind eye to them anymore.

There is an ongoing security concern in Greece connected to an existing threat against us. It is obvious to all I think, that state might, especially in cases such as ours, is a condition of national survival.

This is the reason we are implementing the “2030 Agenda”, Mr. President, the greatest reform of the Armed Forces in Modern Greek history.

We have developed a new prevention doctrine, in order to cover the huge population and numerical gap between us and the potential threat.

On the basis of which we are reforming in all areas. Especially in areas in which we have hitherto been deficient.

The new strategy for security is already upgrading the totality of our capabilities for the coming decades.

It is a new philosophy which incorporates innovation, reforms the operational structures and safeguards our Armed Forces with new, advanced means, in fields which we could hitherto not even conceive of.

I would like to repeat that it is no simple reform. It is a condition of national survival which should have been completed yesterday if possible.

It is a series of measures, some of which come, I should add, at considerable political cost, albeit while absolutely necessary.

The alternative, if there were such, would have been the resignation to mentalities and views which bear no political cost, yet drive the national ship into dangerous waters.

I would like to add that, apart from the other reforms, there should be a special concern regarding the conditions of the Armed Forces’ personnel, Mr. President. For, the Armed Forces ought to be able to attract the best Greece has to offer in their ranks. The housing programme we are implementing, with 1,000 housing units per year is a step in the right direction, yet not quite sufficient.

We ought to tackle the problem of our personnel’s pay, and modernise it, since a total reform is an obligation to history, on our part and our survival. For a safe, powerful, and sovereign Greece.

Mr. President, on behalf of all of us, I welcome you to the Ministry of National Defence today.”

During the briefing, direct video conferences were held with the Pharmakonisi Surveillance Outpost, the Frigate HYDRA and the READINESS Echelon of 133 Battle Group in Crete.

During the video conferences, the President of the Republic was briefed by the Sergeant of the Guard of the Surveillance Outpost concerning the mission of its personnel, from the Captain of the Frigate HYDRA concerning its participation in the Operation “ASPIDES” in the Red Sea, and by the ranking officer of the READINESS echelon of 133 Battle Group concerning its mission, respectively.