Minister of National Defence N. Dendias briefed on Ministry of National Defence Programmes activated by Government Council for National Security

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Minister of National Defence N. Dendias briefed on Ministry of National Defence Programmes activated by Government Council for National Security

July 23, 2026

The Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias, today, Thursday 23 July 2026, participated in a Government Council for National Security for meeting, presided by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, at Maximos Mansion.

After the conclusion of the meeting, Mr. Dendias briefed the Ministry of National Defence's accredited journalists concerning the activation of its new armaments programmes, by decision of the Governmental National Security Council.

The briefing, held at the Athens Armed Forces Officers' Club, was attended by the Chief/HNDGS, General Dimitrios Choupis, the Chief/HAGS, Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis, the Chief/HNGS, Vice Admiral Dimitrios- Eleftherios Kataras HN, and the Chief/HAFGS, Lieutenant General (P) Dimosthenis Grigoriadis.

Mr. Dendias opening the briefing, stated:

"I warmly thank you for your attendance here today. I admit I expected it to be much smaller due to it taking place at the end of July.

The Government Council for National Security approved today the Ministry of National Defence's suggestions for a series of Contracts, incorporated in the country's Long Term Armaments Programme.

The first item which has been decided concerns the Network of Missile Detection and Threat Response. It is a complex title, which in reality means the anti-aircraft, anti-missile, and anti-drone Dome. It is a series of weapons systems, which create layered Domes, covering all Hellenic territory, with a holistic Command and Control system, wherein the Hellenic defence industry is participating, with a sum exceeding 700 million euros.

I would like to tell you that, beyond the presentation itself, which -as you understand due to the matter's confidentiality- is limited to the oral matter, the country is entering a new era, a new reality.

I could represent it with two groups of initials. The obsolete way of operating, not only in Greece, but worldwide, was what you remember, in Greece rather negatively, as "C4I". As we speak, we have entered "C5 ISRT". "C5" are the 5 "Cs", namely: Command, Control, Compute, Communicate, Cyber. ISR is: Intelligence, Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and "T", carrying the stronger symbolism, is Targeting.

We are thus looking forward to a holistic system, which will receive images from an array of sensors throughout the country, up to the scope on the helmet of each member of the Armed Forces. It will process, prioritise, and thenceforth suggest the fitting response and target setting against the threat our country is facing or potentially facing.

I think it is understandable to all how huge a difference this response is. It transforms the Armed Forces from the old image of a sum of personnel and weapons systems, into a modern "machine" staffed in an excellent manner, with the ability of taking in and processing all data, and responding to all potential challenges.

The first item approved by the Government Council for National Security today is the anti-aircraft Dome. The second is a series of Non-Kinetic Counter-UAV systems. Non-Kinetic, that is countering without launching a missile, but with electromagnetic frequencies.

These, of course, can be combined, are part of the broader Dome, and of course cooperate with the anti-aircraft Dome.

The third programme approved by the Government Council for National Security is the acquisition of yet another UAV HERON 1 System, i.e. "Class III". These systems will provide us with ever greater capabilities of control and aerial surveillance, and of course of data transmission. Later, this system will be capable of fielding munitions.

The fourth one approved, which is also a qualitative change, not to say a massive qualitative leap for our country, is the participation in a constellation of microsatellites, that is, the transmission into space of microsatellites with the capability of acquiring direct high resolution satellite images, irrespective of weather conditions, under absolute national control. One easily recognises the great importance of having live action images of areas of national interest.

The fifth programme is the purchase of extra V-BAT type UAVs. As you know, our country already fields four vertical take-off and landing V-BAT systems. They will give us the capability for a network-centred surveillance of the Aegean and the Evros region. Also, adapted "Class II" V-BAT systems in particular, at a later date will be capable of fielding munitions.

The sixth programme is the acquisition of Night Vision scopes through NATO. These will be capable of transmitting images in real time, as I mentioned previously, and are the basic component of the Fighter's Uniform, which has already been presented to you.

The seventh programme concerns three C-390 Millennium aircraft, through a bilateral agreement with Portugal. Embraer aircraft, that is. We will receive the first one in 2027. They are Jet aircraft, moving at double the speed of the transport aircraft currently fielded by the Hellenic Air Force, but the main characteristic which led us to this decision is not speed, albeit being an important advantage. That is, travel time to Cyprus can be halved, or the number of flights there can be doubled for example. It concerns the capability these aircraft have of a double role simultaneously - that is with no refitting - operating as Personnel Carriers and Flying Tankers.

These aircraft will be capable of refuelling the Rafale and Mirage fleet mid-flight, and thus prolong the fighter jets' flight time - particularly the Rafale - which interests us a lot - for the duration of the pilot's endurance - and not that of the aircraft's fuel.

And of course they may operate as mobile hospitals or what needs be. Yet, now, when the Hellenic Air Force is acquiring a Flying Tanker for the first time, you understand the capabilities it gives us.

The eighth programme, also unique and absolutely innovative, regards the 10 Special Operations VICTA craft. They are Submersible Personnel Carriers, two of which will be produced in the United Kingdom, and the remaining eight in Greek shipyards. These submersible craft may transport personnel underwater, and of course may do so with Special Forces personnel on the surface. At a later date these vehicles will be autonomous.

The ninth programme concerns 4 Anti-submarine warfare systems on the MEKO frigates. They are an upgrade to the capabilities of the 4 MEKO capabilities, and form part of the modernisation programme of the 4 MEKO.

I remind you that the Hellenic Navy Major Surface Units Programme, as it stands completed includes 4 FDI, 4 Bergamini, and 4 upgraded MEKO.

The tenth programme regards laser guided Hellfire missiles for the Apache helicopters. I have to mention that we field a considerable fleet of such helicopters, and we have already acquired a number of engines and gearboxes at a favourable price from the United Arab Emirates.

The eleventh programme, what Anglo-Saxon people would call "last but not least", concerns postgraduate studies in the United States.

We are trying to create a personnel database, which will be capable of transferring skills, modern skills to Greece.

We want the Hellenic Navy to be at the pinnacle of this effort. Thus, we are creating a more sizeable scholarship programme, for the MIT in particular. As you know, the MIT is the most Advanced Polytechnic worldwide, and through its Naval Lab a great share of the research of the US Navy is conducted.

Yet again, you will allow me the closing observation, that I consider today particularly important. A great part of the "Agenda 2030" has been approved.

Albeit not completed. We will present you with the second phase of the New Structure of Forces in September, all of the changes, that is which we will bring forth, while, in the meantime incorporating the lessons we have learned from conflicts, wars, and technological changes.

We will also present to you the evolution of the Long Term Armaments Programme for the coming decade, the 2027 - 2037 period that is, and the continuation thenceforth of course.

Thank you. I will answer a few specific questions, if you like, albeit within the framework of this particular matter, which, as you know very well is subject to confidentiality".

Subsequently, the Minister took and answered questions by the accredited journalists:

Journalist's question:

Could you tell us, when the totality of the "Achilles' Shield" system will be operational? Also, could you give us a breakdown of the sums?

N. DENDIAS

I cannot and will not give you a breakdown of the sums. I do not think it concerns the briefing at hand. Yet, for your information, the total sum for the anti-aircraft systems slightly exceeds 3 billion. It will be operational in 35 months from today. Of course, that will be its completion. It will be delivered in stages. But, in 35 months from this day, we will be absolutely ready.

Journalist's question:

Minister, a question on "Achilles' Shield". There was a discussion recently, as to whether the Hellenic Armed Forces would acquire a right to the source code of the "Command and Control" system. Could you talk to us about it?

N. DENDIAS

Certainly. There exists a standing order. The Hellenic Armed Forces do not, and will not acquire systems, beyond some particularly specialised cases, of which I am not aware at this moment, but in these matters we must always maintain caution, wherein we do not possess the source code. Especially insofar as "Command and Control" is concerned, it is an absolutely crucial element, not for national sovereignty, but for national existence. You therefore understand that for the Armed Forces to operate a system of "C5 ISRT" capabilities as described previously, without possessing the source code, that is, without being capable of intervening in the architecture and development of the system, thus becoming "hostages", be it even to the friendliest foreign country or ally, is absolutely impossible.

So, for anything acquired for the country, if not indicated otherwise, we have the source code.

Journalist's question:

Minister, concerning Greece's participation in the C-390. What is the percentage of participation in this programme, since it concerns the import of a new aircraft, and if you could talk to us about what is happening concerning the Dome, which will replace systems of Russian origin? What will become of these systems?

N. DENDIAS

First, the C-390. Thank you for the opportunity. In all the aforementioned there is a minimum Greek participation of 25%. There exists no programme in the Hellenic Armed Forces, where we will not maintain 25% plus. If any exceptions occur, it will be an exceptional case, a special briefing will be given, and the reasons for this compromise will be very particular.

We are aiming to create a Hellenic Defence Ecosystem. The Hellenic Defence Ecosystem will be supplied by two sources: Existing Greek companies, wherein I also include start-ups, and aspiring companies, for which the Hellenic Centre for Defence Innovation is making a great effort, and also, the ecosystems which we will transfer from abroad, and which will be installed and start manufacturing or co-manufacturing in Greece, with existing or new Greek companies.

The C-390 is an aircraft, which has a particularity compared to other transport aircraft fielded by the Hellenic Air Force. It is an aircraft the totality of whose maintenance may be carried out in Greece. With the existing capabilities, or those to be developed in partnership with the manufacturers and our Portuguese contractors; which means that maintenance, both of the engines and of the aircraft, will be carried out here in whole. As a result, we will not undergo the experience of losing our aircraft for a year, or a year and a half, sending them abroad for maintenance.

Furthermore, the maintenance cycle of this specific aircraft is much briefer than that of our other aircraft. Thus, it is for this very reason we are acquiring three aircraft as a first step. For we consider that their usage time is proportionally greater than what it would have been if we had acquired three aircraft of a different make.

Question (off mic.)

N. DENDIAS

As you know, we are speaking of the S-300. To be clear. As you know, initially, the S-300 is not an antiquated system, but its manufacturing country has also replaced it with a more modern system. For the time being it is part of our arsenal, but an outgoing one if I may.

Journalist's question:

Good morning, Minister. I would like to ask if all the programmes approved by the Government Council for National Security today are a result of tendering or direct awarding. Secondly, for what reason, I for one have never heard of it before, does the Governmental National Security Council need to approve postgraduate studies abroad? Why did this programme have to go through the Government Council for National Security? Thank you.

N. DENDIAS

I will start from the second one, the simplest, and I will then analyse the first. We consider the postgraduate programme extremely important. We consider the education of our personnel a necessary component of our broader programme. We therefore consider that, since the sum is not negligible, nearly 2,000,000 million, and we will continue funding studies programmes, it cannot remain solely the choice of the Chiefs of the 3 Services, or the Chief HNDGS, but an incorporated and politically approved security policy of the country, such as an armaments programme. Thus, by law, it has to go through the Government Council for National Security. I repeat, however, as you correctly point out, that I could make a different choice. I imagine nobody would pose any obstacles if the postgraduate studies at MIT were funded by alternative means, and not as part of the main programme, which appears in the basic Armaments Programme.

But this change contains something deeply symbolical. How do we evaluate this possibility? I have to mention the following as well. We used to follow the method, and sometimes still do, albeit in specific conditions and with a specific rationale, of presenting, covering programmes under either operational or classified expenditure.

We process as many programmes as possible, particularly follow-on support ones, through armaments, to the degree it is possible, and insofar as it serves the country's interest.

I will now analyse the procedural framework. In all these systems research was carried out, as well as a search for tenders by the competent bodies of the Ministry of National Defence, and subsequently, a negotiation by the General Directorate for Armaments.

I will open a parenthesis to tell you that you should bear in mind that I have resigned the choice of appointment for Director of the General Directorate for Armaments, having transferred the responsibility to the HNDGS.

For all the above then, for which there existed equivalent products in the markets, for the Dome especially, which is the main product, exceeding 3 bn. tenders were sought after from different sources. Sources which were American and European.

The tenders were much greater, specifically triple or double the amount I just mentioned.

Journalist's question:

Minister, you mentioned that the participation of Greek defence industries in the anti-aircraft Dome will amount to 700,000,000 euros. Is this an amount which derives from the participation of Greek companies in the manufacture of systems destined to the Hellenic Armed Forces or is it an amount which derives from the above alongside equivalent programmes Israeli companies will undertake for third countries?

N. DENDIAS

I see. Thank you. This specifically concerns the 3 bn. order. Yet, I want to be clear on that as well. The logic behind it is not simply a procurement of systems by the State of Israel. It is the logic of manufacturing systems in Greece by Israeli companies, by creating a manufacturing base in Greece, partnerships with Greek companies and the creation of export possibilities of these products to Europe, and to the Middle East region as well. We are looking forward, thus to the use of this Armaments Programme as a catalyst, in order to create a manufacturing base, with capabilities of exporting. Our intention, in this export, is that Greek participation exceeds the minimum terms set as a condition for participation in this programme.

Question (off mic.)

N. DENDIAS

This is not up to me. Yet, you noticed, and I am sure it did not escape your discerning ear, that in September, I pledged to announce the new phase of the New Force Structure and the developments of the Armaments programme from '27 and henceforth. This means that I place absolute confidence in the assurances of the Prime Minister, that the elections will take place in spring '27. I any case, It should be evident that, as a minister in his Cabinet, I take the Prime Minister's statements as factual.

Thank you very much!