Greece has unveiled plans for a major military overhaul, committing €25 billion ($27 billion) over the next decade to modernize its forces with a focus on high-tech warfare technologies. This initiative aims to incorporate advanced systems such as AI-powered missile systems, drones, and next-generation military gear.
During a parliamentary address on Wednesday, Defense Minister Nikos Dendias emphasized that the modernization effort will center around a new air defense system named “Achilles Shield,” primarily designed to counter tensions with neighboring Turkey. The two NATO allies have faced longstanding disputes regarding territorial boundaries in the Aegean Sea and eastern Mediterranean, bringing them to the brink of conflict in recent decades.
Dendias stated that Greece intends to transition from traditional defense systems to a more sophisticated, networked approach, enhancing capabilities through mobile, AI-driven systems, drone technologies, and advanced command units, ultimately reducing reliance on conventional military fleets.
The plan also incorporates the introduction of next-generation gear for soldiers, featuring sophisticated sensors and communication systems, as well as the development of dedicated satellite resources to ensure secure communications during wartime.
“What we are proposing is an existential issue for the country— a complete shift in our defense approach and a total change in doctrine,” Dendias remarked. “We’re moving away from the idea that the Aegean is solely defended by the fleet.”
The overhaul will be presented to lawmakers in upcoming closed sessions and includes greater collaboration with local tech startups, along with a significant restructuring of military personnel—merging units, closing underutilized bases, and addressing the challenges of a top-heavy command structure.
This initiative follows a trend of increased military expenditure across Europe in response to the ongoing war in Ukraine and hints that the Trump administration may aim to reduce U.S. commitments to European defense.
Greece’s modernization effort, launched after years of budget cuts during the financial crisis from 2010 to 2018, includes enhancements across all branches of the armed forces and focuses on partnerships with France, Israel, and the United States. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis recently met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior defense representatives to discuss further collaboration.
On Wednesday, Mitsotakis dismissed opposition calls to abandon plans to purchase U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets in favor of a European alternative, asserting that the F-35 program is a crucial “long-term investment” for Greece’s defense.
Credit: ABC News
