The Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias Meets with Israel Katz the Defence Minister of Israel

The Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias Meets with Israel Katz the Defence Minister of Israel

January 20, 2026

The Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendiasmet today, Tuesday 20 January 2026, with Israel Katzthe Defence Minister of Israel, who is conducting an official visit to Greece.

After the two Ministers' private meeting at the Ministry of National Defence, where the strategic defence relations of Greece and Israel were discussed, as well as the perspectives for their further expansion, extended talks took place between the Greek and Israeli delegations.

Other attendees at the talks were: the Deputy Minister of National Defence Thanasis Davakis, the Chief of HNDGS General Dimitrios Choupis, the Secretary General of the Ministry of National Defence Antonis Oikonomou, the Chief of HNGS Vice Admiral Dimitrios - Eleftherios Kataras HN, the Chief of HAFGS Lieutenant General (Pilot) Dimosthenis Grigoriadis, the Deputy Chief of HAGS Lieutenant General Andreas Koronakis, as representative of the Chief of HAGS, the General Director of the General Directorate of Defence Investments and Armaments (GDDIA) of the Ministry of National Defence Major General Ioannis Bouras, the General Director of the General Directorate of National Defence Policy & International Relations (GDNDPIR) of the Ministry of National Defence Honorary Ambassador Michail Spinellis and the Director of the Diplomacy Liaison's Office of the Ministry of National Defence Ambassador Giorgos Arnaoutis.

The following individuals participated from Israel's side: Israel's Ambassador in Greece Noam Katz, the General Director of the Defence Ministry of Israel Major General Amir Baram, the Director of the Office of the Defence Minister of Israel Idan Perez, the Minister's Military Secretary Brigadier General Guy Markizano,the Military Attaché of the Embassy of Israel Captain Shay Hodera, the Head of SIBAT (Directorate of International Defence Cooperation) Brigadier General Yair Kulas and the Head of the Europe and NATO Directorate of the Civilian-Military Staff Yonatan Kedar.

The Minister of National Defence, during the joint statements which followed the meeting, stated:

"Honourable Minister,

Dear friend Israel,

Today, I welcome you with particular pleasure to Athens, this time at the Ministry of National Defence. I remind you that the last time we met we were both Ministers of Foreign Affairs and our meeting had taken place at another Ministry.

Today's meeting is a continuation of the Trilateral Summit between Greece, Cyprus and Israel.

That meeting underlined the common volition for the further development of the defence cooperation between our countries.

In this framework, your presence here today adds a positive layer to the already excellent and strategic defence relations.

Because our defence cooperation now covers the entire spectrum: from operational interoperability and joint exercises, to strategic convergence in research, innovation, defence technology and industry.

A few weeks ago, we signed the Defence Cooperation Programme for 2026: 29 actions in Greece, 25 actions in Israel.

Today, we also talked about the enhancement of our cooperation in the study of modern methods utilised in 21^stcentury conflicts.

We agreed to exchange views and technical expertise, so as to be able to counter unmanned platforms and especially swarms of unmanned aerial vehicles and groups of unmanned underwater vehicles.

We also agreed to work together so as to be able to prevent and be ready to intercept threats in cyberspace too.

One of the most important pillars of our cooperation is our defence ecosystem. Everybody knows that Israel is a major actor on issues of high specifications innovative defence products development: anti-missile systems, anti-drone systems, sensors, cyber-platforms.

Israel which, a few decades ago, used to purchase all arms necessary for its defence, has now managed to be at the top, on the cutting edge of defence technology. We studied the Israeli model and based on that we established the Hellenic Centre for Defence Innovation (HCDI).

Our aim is to transform Greece "from a client state" and just a "buyer" of defence systems to a state which co-produces and produces low cost innovative products of dual use.

I have to say that the results are already evident in less than two years of operation of the HCDI. From anti-drone systems which constitute part of the Hellenic Fleet armaments, to the construction of our own Greek drones.

In this framework, we have made arrangements and we are interested in the enhancement of the cooperation of the HCDI with the corresponding Israeli bodies. We have many expectations from this cooperation.

Another pillar of cooperation is the Trilateral "3+1" with the United States of America. Meaning, Greece, Cyprus, Israel and the United States of America. In general, we are operating as an axis of stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.

As you know, much is at stake in our region, due to destabilising practices, dispute of International Law, dispute of the Law of the Sea.

Greece defends its sovereignty, defends its sovereign rights, without threatening anyone, without claiming anything.

However, to be able to achieve this deterrence, we are materialising "Agenda 2030", which creates the mightiest Armed Forces since the establishment of the modern Greek state.

Naturally, I "utilised" the presence of the Minister in Athens, to exchange views on the wider situation in the Middle East, I stressed the stabilising and honourable role that Greece plays, maintaining defence relations with Israel and cordial relations with the Arab world.

It is known that we support President Trump's initiative for Gaza and we are ready to contribute to the effort for peace support and stability in the region. The Prime Minister as well as the Foreign Minister have made pertinent statements on the matter.

Of course, we condemned, since day one, the 7^thOctober terrorist attacks and we supported your right in self-defence, Minister. We also support your request for the return of the remains of every single hostage.

Furthermore, I briefed you on the support we provide to the Lebanon Armed Forces. Just last week, we granted military materiel to enable the Lebanese army to face the challenges arising from terrorism.

We talked with Syria, regarding the next day in this country, the need to protect all population groups, all religious and ethnic communities.

I told you and I publicly repeat that the protection of Christian populations in Syria and Lebanon constitutes the highest priority for us.

During the working lunch which will follow, we will have the opportunity to discuss other issues, the situation in the Red Sea, Yemen, and to brief the Minister on the course of the Greek-Turkish relations, the situation in the Balkans, to express once more my profound desire that, the Eastern Mediterranean, our region, becomes a place of cooperation and mutual understanding.

Minister,

Thank you once more for your presence. I believe that out talks always constitute a step towards the improvement of our relations, but they also operate as a stabilising factor for the wider region.

Welcome to Athens".