The plan for the most powerful Armed Forces was presented by Defense Minister Nikos Dendias at the “Greece 2030” conference, where he unveiled the transformation plan for the Greek Armed Forces and the new defense model the country aspires to develop in the coming years. The minister emphasized that security, economic development, and technological innovation have become interconnected pillars, noting that Greece must adapt to an international environment changing at unprecedented speed. As he stressed, the 2030 milestone coincides with the largest reform in the history of the Greek Armed Forces, and the goal is for the country to have a completely different defense model upon completion, based on technological superiority, innovation, and production capacity.
Nikos Dendias: The new philosophy of deterrence
Nikos Dendias argued that modern challenges require a different understanding of defense, explaining that deterrence is no longer secured solely through armament programs or the existence of combat-ready personnel. Instead, it requires technological superiority, research activity, production capability, and economic resilience. He also referred to the unstable international environment, noting that border violations, military conflicts, revisionism, and geopolitical upheavals have returned to the forefront, making it necessary to continuously strengthen the country’s deterrent power.
The minister emphasized that Greece, due to its geographical position, is called upon to protect not only its borders but also its culture, historical trajectory, and ability to make autonomous decisions. According to him, the country must be able to face every threat not only as a matter of territorial sovereignty but as a challenge that concerns its overall national existence and future.
Nikos Dendias: Drones, innovation and new force structure
A central point of the presentation was the transition to a new operational model for the Armed Forces. Nikos Dendias described a mechanism based on information collection and processing through millions of sensors, using advanced data centers that will assess threats and suggest appropriate operational responses. As he mentioned, modern Armed Forces now constitute a knowledge and information management mechanism rather than simply a collection of weapon systems.
He made special reference to the Greek Center for Defense Innovation (ELKAK), which, as he said, was created to fill market gaps and strengthen the development of new technologies. As a characteristic example, he presented the “Centaur” system, designed to counter drone swarms. According to the minister, the prototype was tested under real conditions in the Red Sea and shot down two Houthi drones, and is now being integrated into the Greek Armed Forces as a basic anti-drone protection system.
The minister also announced that within the coming days, the largest drone manufacturing facility of the Greek Armed Forces will be established in Malakasa, while simultaneously the first training school for category II and III drone pilots will be inaugurated in Tripoli. As he explained, drone operation training will be gradually integrated into the training of new recruits.
Agenda 2030: Electronic warfare and defense industry
Nikos Dendias also presented the new operational framework for the defense industry, emphasizing that every foreign partner transferring know-how or defense systems to Greece must invest 25% of their value in the country, primarily aiming at technology transfer rather than just construction work. He also referred to the creation of an Autonomous Systems Directorate in the Navy and the development of an integrated electronic warfare structure, which will include data centers, cloud infrastructure, operational centers, and modern cyber defense and cybersecurity tools.
Concluding his speech, the minister emphasized that the reform’s success requires political and social consensus, warning that pre-election confrontations should not affect the country’s strategic choices. He even expressed his conviction that by 2030, Greece will have the strongest Armed Forces that Hellenism has ever been able to deploy in its history.
