Order of the day by the Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias for the New Year

Order of the day by the Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias for the New Year

December 31, 2025

The Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias, in his Order of the Day for the New Year, stated the following:

"Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, Soldiers, Seamen, Airmen, National Guardsmen, Reserve Servicemen and Civilian Personnel of the Armed Forces,

With the advent of the New Year, I wish to extend to you all my warmest and most heartfelt wishes.

For health, strength and advancement.

The New Year is a threshold for both contemplation and preparation.

The moment when we all reaffirm our dedication to the constitutional mission of the Armed Forces.

The safeguarding of our national security.

Amidst an environment of geopolitical developments, disrupted balances, new factors.

The Armed Forces are a key stabilizing force within this environment.

They promote the values of Democracy, Peace, Freedom and International Law.

They defend Greece's sovereignty and the sovereign rights, and strengthen its position on the Mediterranean Sea and the world.

At the same time, the task of the Armed Forces supersedes their operational mission.

Their steady presence by the side of the society, during natural disasters and difficulties, promotes the connection between the Greek society and the Armed Forces.

It brings forward the Armed Forces as the main pylon for solidarity.

The year 2026 will find us at the heart of a great effort. We are implementing a comprehensive planning with "Agenda 2030". A holistic planning, which modernises the Armed Forces, refreshes the Structure, incorporates Innovation, boosts the defence industry and, mostly, invests in the personnel.

In this framework, the roadmap for the transition of the Armed Forces in the New Era has been tabled and is already being discussed in Parliamentary Committees.

It is a great law that establishes a modern framework for the career, the development and the salary of our personnel, upgrades the Military Schools, modernises the military service and the reserve, and aims at strong and effective Armed Forces. The power of the Armed Forces is mainly the personnel.

This is the force multiplier.

However, on the side of our personnel, there are also their families, and the State supports the Military Family with deeds that should improve their everyday life and improve its perspectives.

With decent, free housing for all those transferred to a post they had not selected, childcare, support for motherhood, an efficient healthcare system, care for the elderly, the retired and the persons with disabilities.

With the construction of 10,454 new residences and the maintenance of 7,030 existing ones, with a clear timetable that is adhered to.

With targeted measures to fight the high living cost, so that the shopping basket of the Military Family in the military markets will be on average 20-23% cheaper than the market prices.

With the operation, finally, of a Maternity Clinic in the Naval Hospital of Athens, and the prospect to create one more Maternity Clinic in the 424 General Military Hospital of Thessaloniki.

With the free provision of assisted reproduction and egg freezing for the personnel of the Armed Forces.

With the construction of six new nursery Schools and the reconstruction of six existing ones, so that we will be able to accommodate more infants of the Military Family.

With the upgrade of the Special Child Care Centre with modern standards and enhanced scientific staffing, so that the children of the Military Family that have special needs can find the respective care.

With the construction of four new student residences for the accommodation of 120 students, in the context of establishing scholarships, given that they serve in the Armed Forces.

With the modernisation of our Military Hospitals, and the full exemption of the personnel from participating by 15% to medical costs, which is the case currently.

With the establishment of a Training Centre of Excellence and a Unit for War Trauma Care, which will expectantly be the best in Europe and the broader region of the Eastern Mediterranean.

With the construction of three new complexes for supported living of the retired, and the establishment of a Joint Elderly Care Unit; they deserve a safe environment as well.

With the establishment, organization and operation of supported living homes for adults with disabilities. We help those who cannot be self-reliant.

With the establishment of beneficial arrangements for certain categories of militaries in social hardship.

In general, with facing the Military Family as the fundamental requirement for the complete and unhindered fulfillment of the constitutional mission of the Armed Forces' personnel.

Women and men of the Armed Forces.

The State and the society recognize, support, reinforce your mission and, above all, invest in you.

They invest in your spirit, your character, your discipline, your sense of responsibility, the example that you set every day wearing the uniform that bears the national emblem.

The Greek people know that you are the guardians of every inch of Hellenic Territory and that, if ever needed, you will do what is right.

They respect and trust in you.

I invite you to persist in performing you constitutional duties in 2026 with devotion, led by the principles and values that traditionally govern the Armed Forces.

I wish each and every one of you Many Happy Returns and a Happy New Year, with health and strength.

Long live the Armed Forces!

Long live Greece!".