Minister of National Defense Nikos Dendias today, Thursday, presented the second phase of “Agenda 2030,” an ambitious reform program aimed at fundamentally modernizing and strengthening Greece’s Armed Forces.
Key announcements include significant changes to military service, increased compensation for conscripts, a major restructuring of military command, and the unveiling of the transformative “Achilles Shield” air defense system.
Defense reforms in Greece
Conscription Reforms (Effective January 1, 2026):
Abolition of Navy and Air Force Conscription: Mandatory military service will be entirely abolished for the Navy and Air Force, with exceptions only for specialized roles such as ship captains and aircraft engineers.
Exclusive Army Conscription: All conscripts will be classified exclusively into the Army. Ground forces will also take over facility security duties previously managed by the other branches.
New Training Model: Conscript training under the new flexible model will commence in September 2026, adapting to lessons from modern warfare.
Increased Soldier Compensation (Effective October):
New Calculation Basis: Compensation for conscripts will be calculated on a new basis of €100 per month.
Border Service: Compensation for those serving in remote or frontline areas (e.g., border) will increase significantly from €8.80 to €100 per month.
Inland Service: Compensation for those serving inland will be €50 per month.
Additional Allowances: Increases in allowances for naval fleet personnel, those on special duties, and military academy students will also take effect in October. These changes aim to upgrade the current equipment issued to soldiers, including “Kevlar” helmets, anti-ballistic protection, sensor-equipped uniforms, and new weaponry, with an estimated cost of €204 million.
Restructuring of Military Command:
Abolition of Intermediate Levels: The First Army, an intermediate command level, will be abolished.
New Geographical Administrations: Four independent geographical administrations will be established: Thrace, Western Macedonia, Aegean – Eastern Mediterranean, and Attica.
Unmanned Vehicle Administrations: New administrations for unmanned vehicles will be created across all Armed Forces branches and Corps.
Upgraded General Army Inspectorate: The General Army Inspectorate will be upgraded.
Real Estate Utilization and Mergers:
Armed Forces Real Estate: Legislation is currently under parliamentary discussion to centralize and optimize the utilization of Armed Forces real estate by unifying existing funds and creating a new dedicated body.
Military Base Mergers:
An additional 45 military camps will be closed, adding to the 137 already merged. This is part of a broader effort to streamline operations, reduce underutilized bases, and allow resources to be redirected towards operational readiness.
Reduced Military Courts: The number of military courts will be reduced from 15 to 6.
These mergers and reductions are projected to generate total annual savings of €85 million, with an additional €16.5 million from the base mergers.
“Agenda 2030”: Key Pillars of Greece’s defense reform
Minister Dendias emphasized that “Agenda 2030” seeks to fundamentally transform the Armed Forces and bolster the nation’s defense capabilities in response to what he described as a “visible threat.” He reiterated prior announcements and detailed new initiatives:
“Achilles Shield” – A Multi-layered Defense Dome: This ambitious, multi-layered air defense system is a cornerstone of the reform, designed to provide Greece with a robust defense against a wide spectrum of aerial threats. Inspired by the mythical hero’s five-layered shield, it will integrate anti-drone, anti-missile, anti-aircraft, anti-ship, and anti-submarine capabilities.
Estimated to cost approximately €2.8 billion, the “Achilles Shield” aims to combine existing air defense means with new capabilities, including AI-powered missile systems, drone technologies, and advanced command units. It represents a decisive shift towards a high-tech, networked defense strategy, moving away from traditional reliance solely on conventional fleets.
ELKAK (Hellenic Defence Innovation Center): The successful institutionalization and operation of this defense innovation hub is critical, with “Centaurus” cited as a prime example of its work. ELKAK plays a central role in fostering local tech start-ups and ensuring Greek components and know-how are integrated into defense procurement.
Long-term Armaments Planning & Domestic Industry Boost: For the first time in Greece’s history, a 12-year (effectively 20-year) armaments plan has been submitted, with a total budget of €25-28 billion. A significant allocation of 25% of the total amount is earmarked to strengthen the domestic defense industry, a pioneering initiative for Greece.
New Force Structure: Plans for a revised force structure will be served by newly acquired military assets, focusing on modernizing communications and utilizing satellite capabilities. This includes the creation of a new branch for “post-evolution, innovation and defense technology” and a Joint Information Technology Corps focusing on Artificial Intelligence.
The Greek government believes that the “Agenda 2030” initiatives underscore Greece’s commitment to building a more agile, modern, and effective defense force, capable of addressing contemporary security challenges and bolstering national security in a changing geopolitical landscape.
