The Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias attends the unveiling ceremony of the new bio-climatic exterior of the Ministry of National Defence

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The Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias attends the unveiling ceremony of the new bio-climatic exterior of the Ministry of National Defence

October 29, 2025

On Wednesday 29 October 2025, the Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias attended the unveiling ceremony of the new bio-climatic exterior of the central building of the Ministry of National Defence that took place before the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and in the presence of the Speaker of the Parliament Nikitas Kaklamanis, in the surrounding area of "Papagou" Camp.

The new bio-climatic exterior of the Ministry of National Defence, as well as the Ark of the National Memory, the unveiling of which took place by the Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias on 26 March 2025, are the work of the Professor of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Kostas Varotsos and are incorporated in the overall work of "the Redevelopment of the Surrounding Space of the Ministry of National Defence". The cost was covered by the donation of METLEN Energy and Metals.

Besides the new bio-climatic exterior of the Ministry and the Ark of National Memory, the project "Redevelopment of the Surrounding Space of the Ministry of National Defence" includes the planting of two olive coppices to the right and left of the Memorial, the creation of a new bio-climatic exterior of the Ministry, the renovation of the reception area of the Ministers and distinguished foreign guests, the construction of an Electronic Warfare building and underground parking area, in line with the standards of the Hellenic Parliament.

Nikos Dendias pointed out in his address:

"Ladies and gentlemen,

I welcome you tonight to the inauguration of the redeveloped Ministry of National Defence; in the context of the festivities for the 28^thOctober 1940; a day of high symbolism; a special day for the Armed Forces.

The buildings, ladies and gentlemen, especially those which accommodate institutions, are witnesses of social perceptions, culture and civilization. Each building symbolises an architectural trend and an era. The building of the Ministry of National Defence from the beginning -since the 50s- did not claim laurels of architectural design.

One of the many buildings that strangely still stand unalterable through time, encircled in a peculiar Hellenicity of yesterday, which came to terms with an out-of-date regularity.

The evolution of a building-institution calls for a change and progress and the new bio-climatic exterior of the Ministry of National Defence expresses the new image of the Armed Forces. The Art in the "Ark of National Memory" converses with the Architecture of the building from today. It marks the perception that governs the big transformation under the title "Agenda 2030" that we implement in the Armed Forces of the Country. A change of structures. A change of assets. A change of culture. A change of perception. The passage to the 21^stcentury. The transition to the New Era.

Not as a potential political choice, but as a necessary condition for the assurance of the sovereignty, prosperity, freedom of Greece.

The new image of the Ministry does not just constitute an aesthetic intervention. It constitutes the symbolism of the adjustment to the new conditions and the new requirements. It constitutes evolution and upgrade.

It constitutes change of mentality, of philosophy, of the institution of the Hellenic Armed Forces.

Because we can change. We can evolve. We can think outside the narrow framework of an ugly cement box, as that one which was the Ministry of National Defence for decades.

We use the creative talent of a distinguished Greek sculptor, Mr Kostas Varotsos, whom I was fortunate to meet through the Secretary General Antoniοs Ikonomou. We also use the contribution to the Armed Forces of the Chairman of the METLEN Group Mr Evaggelos Mytilineos.

All these seemed inconceivable when I first announced them. Two years ago, it seemed equally inconceivable that the Country would construct its own Drones and Anti-Drone systems. That it would implement programmes of innovative products for its Armed Forces, as those which made the Greek people proud yesterday at the parade in Thessaloniki.

These, ladies and gentlemen, are just a beginning.

It seemed equally inconceivable that the rationalisation of the organising of the hierarchical Structure would save funds that allow significant increases for the members of the Armed Forces and the conscripts, without burdening the state budget; without burdening the Greek taxpayer.

A new pattern. A healthy, liberal, virtuous pattern. We can expand it. We can better use the human assets of the Country. All that is needed is to stimulate them. To present motives. To offer them a steady and intelligent framework that will allow them to develop their skills.

To present a vision.

To give hope, give perspective, give pride, essence and national mission.

Not to award ranks without meaning; Colonels without Regiments; Captains without ships; Colonels without Groups.

On the other hand, Platoons without a Sergeant, Companies without a Sergeant Major.

Which threat can we deter with such recipes?

We must surpass the culture of the static, the fragmentary, the obsolete.

We are obliged to "study" Greece and of course its buildings.

Especially those that express the institutions of the State.

To "intervene" wherever needed.

We are obliged to codify the ways of this intervention, so that they are understood as symbolisms by the Greek citizens.

The changes must express the agenda of the ambitious modernisation that time requires.

The symbolisms must carry our fellow-citizens along our side, who until now were unable to comprehend the speed of the current developments.

Because, along with the change we must also maintain our National Unity.

All Greeks must understand that the world around us has definitely changed.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The use of new materials defines the way we perceive what is going on around us.

The glass, the metal, are modern materials.

Mr Varotsos manages to harmonically unite the Memorial of the "Ark of Memory" with the building of the Ministry. In fact, he connects our past to our future in a unique manner.

The glass projects with its clarity the praise to the 121,692 dead of Greece's wars; its glorious, clear, illuminated past.

The memorial, as his creator has characteristically said, is not a memorial of burial art. You see it. It is an exaltation, a resetting, a resurrection. It is a gaze towards the Sky of Attica, the Sky of Greece, for which the honourees sacrificed their lives.

The precious metal, with its strict and compact structure, depicts the certainty and imposingness that leads us to the future.

The vertical arrays of the 30-metre long white blinds are also oriented towards the sky and the future. Towards a bright future.

They symbolise - in my opinion - the folds of the Evzone guardsman's fustanella, and, not being equidistant, form columns which bring Greek antiquity to mind, and symbolise the triple horizontal division, the jointness of the three branches.

A strong, transparent bond is formed, between the future and the past. Between tradition and progress. Openness towards novelty, towards innovation requires a solid foundation of respect towards tradition. And, between the Monument and the building, this unique elliptical scale.

The widest staircase in Greece. Austere, but at the same time ethereal and wide, like an embrace of the Virgin Mary, Patron of the Armed Forces, and Supreme General of the Greeks.

Her icon stands at the entrance, at the top of the staircase. The staircase is a work of art on its own. Designed to symbolise the smooth, secure, protected from above transition of Greece from the past to the future.

The Monument and façade of the building are framed by another green space, with 500 new plants and trees, offered by the Municipality of Athens, improving the environmental footprint.

They are an addition to the existing 1000 trees we have planted, and the two groves of 28 and 25 olive trees each, which symbolise the 28^thof October and the 25^thof March respectively.

The "Ark of National Memory" will immediately become accessible to the public, so that all our fellow citizens are able to pay respects to them who sacrificed themselves for the Country.

As, respectively, they do at the Memorial to the Unknown Soldier.

Given the novel role of the Armed Forces at the Memorial to the Unknown Soldier, I think that today's celebration is the suitable time to announce that shortly, a competition will be published, aiming to showcase the Memorial to the Unknown Soldier and its role as a point of National Unity and a common Historical Reference. A Reference of memory and respect to the Unknown casualties of Greece's wars.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The building is austere, not ornate. Besides, Democracies are expressed by austere buildings.

In democracies, institutions ought to be as transparent as the surface of glass, and sturdy, as metal.

Democratic institutions are not simply mental concepts. They are not a simple showcasing. They ought to be effectively fleshed out in depth. In as much depth as reforms ought to be.

For this reason, the bioclimatic restructuring of the building is not limited to the work you see in front of you.

Piraeus Bank has undertaken to cover the costs of completing the building's exterior.

And Hellenic Petroleum will modernise the interior. These donations follow those of Mr Thanos Laskaridis,

Mr Georgios Peristeris,

Mr Kristian Hatziminas,

Mr Iraklis Prokopakis,

Mrs Ioanna Martinou,

Mr Giannis Retsos.

Therefore, to a great degree, the modernisation of the Ministry will be completed from private contributions, at no additional cost to Greek citizens.

We are deeply grateful.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The changes to the Ministry are both symbolical, and a clear declaration of intent. A declaration to World and State that the country's defence is not trapped in the past. It navigates the 21^stCentury with determination and boldness. Yet also, with aesthetic and environmental consciousness.

A declaration that the image, symbolism, memory, aesthetics, have a place at the centre of Greek defensive identity.

Images are not neutral. They feed the consciousness and worldview, particularly those of Greek youth.

The work of Mr Kostas Varotsos is simultaneously a symbol and proof. A symbol of modernising Greece. Proof of National Defence, which invests in force, viability, innovation, outreach, in our workforce.

The new visage of the Ministry is the architectural expression of our new narrative.

The New Deterrence Doctrine,

The New Structure of Forces,

The New Defence Innovation Ecosystem,

The Rebirth of our Defence Industry,

The first ever 12-Year Programme of Defence Armaments in our History,

The New National Service, the New Reserve,

The New Pay Rate,

The New Hierarchy and Rank Progression System,

The New Academic Educational Framework,

The New Framework for Healthcare Services Provision,

The New Framework for Providing Life Quality Services to personnel,

The New - exemplary - Housing Programme - the most grandiose in Greek History -

Achilles' Shield, the Dome defending the whole country.

The New Army, operating Drone and Anti-drone systems.

The New Navy, operating the ultramodern Belharra and Bergamini Frigates.

The New Air Force, operating the new anti-aircraft and anti-missile systems, the F-35 and the Loyal Wingman.

All those, which form the greatest transformation in the history of the Armed Forces, as the Prime Minister pointed out yesterday in Thessaloniki.

I would like to thank the Prime Minister once again, for trusting in the "Agenda 2030", since I know very well, that it comes with political cost.

However, these choices, starting from 2030, will allow Hellenism to have the mightiest Armed Forces in the History of Modern Greece.

I wish to express my gratitude to Mr Evaggelos Mytilineos. His sense of National Duty, materialisedthe first phase of the emblematic project.

Thus, the "Agenda 2030" acquired a monumental and artistic representation.

The Armed Forces -also for the first time in their History- acquired the capability to express themselves through Works of Art.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Greece treads through an unstable and constantly changing geopolitical environment.

In the 21^stcentury, "Might makes right" instead of "Right makes might", as the Anglo-Saxons are fond of saying.

Deterrence through force is the prerequisite for our National Survival. Otherwise, the Greek people will not be the masters of their fate.

We must handle the capability for deterrence not statically, as a mere confrontation of forces.

If that is the case, we will not succeed.

The threat is tenfold. We must handle it dynamically, like a competition of economies, of human capital's capabilities, of evolution and innovation.

This effort of ours pertains to the capability to leverage, to create the model of the necessary collective effort.

Introduction of innovation,

Rationalisationof structures,

Fight against fixations,

Reinforcement of institutions,

Better salaries and living conditions for our members by saving money, without burdening -I say it again- the Greek citizen.

Furthermore, guarantees against corruption.

Nonetheless, the saving and projection of our Greek identity is equally necessary.

Of our diversity and our History.

The new exterior of the Ministry of National Defence is an architectural creation but also a large mirror. It reflects the uninterrupted continuation of Hellenism, its History, its course towards the future.

It is a message for our National Unity.

A message that we the Greeks do not become complacent due to outdated fixations.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The redeveloped Ministry does not solely pertain to the field of Defence.

It is the mirror of our Homeland's self-confidence, of every Greek woman and every Greek man.

It is the new aspect of the New Greece, which is full of self-confidence.

Thank you very much".

The Prime Minister Mr Mitsotakis, the Professor Mr Varotsos and the Honorary Brigadier General, Chairman and CEO of METLEN Energy and Metals Evaggelos Mytilineos also delivered addresses.

The Vice President of the Government Kostis Chatzidakis, the Defence Minister of the Republic of Cyprus Vasilios Palmas, the Minister of National Defence and Finance Kyriakos Pierrakakis, the Minister of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports Sofia Zacharaki, the Minister of Health Adonis Georgiadis, the Minister of Labourand Social Security Niki Kerameos, the Minister of Citizen's Protection Michalis Chrysochoidis, the Minister of Migration and Asylum Thanos Plevris, the Minister of Rural Development and Food Kostas Tsiaras, the Minister for Climate Change and Civil Protection Giannis Kefalogiannis, the Minister of State Akis Skertsos, the Alternate Minister of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, responsible for Sports, Giannis Vroutsis, the Alternate Minister of Transportation Konstantinos Kyranakis, the Deputy Minister of National Defence Thanasis Davakis, other Deputy Ministers of the Government, 111 MPs of the New Democracy, MPs from parties of the Opposition, European MPs, the European MP and former Minister of National Defence Vaggelis Meimarakis, the President of the Standing Committee on National Defence and Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Parliament Ntora Bakogianni, the former Vice President of the Government and former Minister Evaggelos Venizelos, the MPs and former Ministers of National Defence Nikos Panagiotopoulosand Evaggelos Apostolakis, the Secretary General of the Ministry of National Defence Antonios Ikonomouand the former Minister of National Defence Panos Kammenos also attended the ceremony.

Other attendees were the Chief of HNDGS General Dimitrios Choupis, the Head of the Attica Region Nikos Chardalias, the Head of the Ionian Islands Region Ioannis Trepeklis, the Mayor of Athens Charis Doukas, the Mayor of Papagou - Cholargos Ilias Apostolopoulos, the Chief of HAGS Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis, the Chief of HNGS Vice Admiral Dimitrios - Eleftherios Kataras HN and the Chief of HAFGS Lieutenant General (Pilot) Dimosthenis Grigoriadis, the Chief of the Hellenic Police Lieutenant General Dimitrios Mallios and the Chief of the Hellenic Fire Service Lieutenant General Theodoros Vagias.

The Most Beloved of God Bishop of Epidavros MrNikodimosas representative of the Archbishop of Athens and All of Greece, the Metropolitan Bishops of Ilio, Acharnae and Petroupoli Mr Athinagoras, of Thiva, Livadia and Avlida Mr Georgios, of Ioannina Mr Maximos, of Kalavryta and Egialia Mr Ieronymos,of Mani Mr Chrysostomos, of Messinia Mr Chrysostomos, of Syros, Tinos, Andros, Kea and Milos Mr Dorotheos,of Fthiotida Mr Symeon,various Mayors from Attica, representatives of the Judiciary and the Military Justice, benefactors of the Armed Forces, representatives of the regional and local self-government, foreign diplomatic authorities and Defence Attachés were also present.

A performance took place during the unveiling ceremony, under the directorial supervision of Sofia Spyratou, with her artistic group. Angela Gerekouand Aris Sakellaridis were the narrators of the event, while Manolis Mitsiasand Aggelos Papadimitriou sang under the musical direction of the Conductor Commander Efstratios Sitsas HN, accompanied by a detachment of the Joint Armed Forces Band. Lambros Liavasedited the script and texts, while Ntemi Valthioti was responsible for the costume design. Students of the Hellenic Army Academy (Evelpidon), the Hellenic Naval Academy, the Hellenic Air Force Academy and the Naval Officers Academy also participated in the performance.