Greece plans to invest €25 billion over the next decade to upgrade its military and adapt to emerging high-tech warfare capabilities. Defence Minister Nikos Dendias presented the ambitious makeover to parliament, underlining the necessity for a technologically advanced defence strategy.
The “Achilles Shield” air defence system is at the centre of this development, meant to improve security in the face of ongoing tensions with Turkey. Greece and Turkey, both NATO members, have a history of territorial disputes in the Aegean Sea and the eastern Mediterranean, which have brought them close to conflicts on several occasions.
Dendias emphasised the transition from traditional defence systems to a more dynamic, AI-powered approach. The concept will include mobile missile weapons, drone technologies, and enhanced command units to reduce dependency on traditional fleets. The plan also includes next-generation troop equipment that incorporates sensors and communication devices. Additionally, Greece intends to create dedicated satellite capabilities for secure wartime communications.
The military makeover will also restructure personnel, merge units, and close underutilised bases, resulting in more efficient command structures. Local technology startups will play an important role in upgrading defence capabilities.
This comes amid rising European military spending in response to the Ukraine conflict and prospective alterations in US defence obligations.
