The Chief of the Hellenic Air Force General Staff, Lieutenant General (I) Demosthenis Grigoriadis, yesterday delivered the Daily Order to the personnel of the Hellenic Air Force (HAF) on the occasion of the celebration of Archangel Michael, the Patron Saint of the Air Force.

The Chief paid tribute to the fallen airmen who sacrificed their lives “for the homeland,” emphasizing that “the tree of freedom and the security of our country is watered and nourished by the blood of its heroes.” He stressed that the Air Force continues to stand as the “guardian of the skies, the guarantor of peace, and of national sovereignty.”

Modernization of the Hellenic Air Force Arsenal

Daily Order of the Chief of the Hellenic Air Force General Staff, Lieutenant General (I) Demosthenis Grigoriadis, on the occasion of the Air Force Patron Saint Celebration

Lieutenant General Grigoriadis highlighted the radical renewal process currently underway, describing this period as “the most extensive modernization of the Air Force’s arsenal since its establishment.”

As he noted, “the program of modernization, upgrading, and standardization of our combat aircraft fleet is progressing at an unprecedented pace.”

He made special reference to the acquisition of RAFALE fighters, the upgrade of F-16 Block 52+/ADV and F-16 Block 50 aircraft to the VIPER configuration—a program expected to begin soon—and to Greece’s participation in the F-35 program.

The Chief underlined that “the induction of F-35 aircraft marks a defining milestone that transforms the operational and geopolitical landscape of the Southeastern Mediterranean,” predicting their arrival in 2030. “Their acquisition,” he said, “will represent a true leap into the future, strengthening Greece’s deterrent power and its role as a reliable ally.”

New Technology and Networked Air Combat Doctrine

The Daily Order also refers to the integration of modern battle architectures such as Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) and the Loyal Wingman Concept, where manned and unmanned platforms operate in a coordinated manner as a unified combat system.

“The Air Force will continue to invest systematically in innovation as a lever of operational superiority,” the Chief noted, adding that the Airman of the Future will be “a leader of a networked, intelligent, and dynamic operational system.”

Upgraded Communications and Air Defense

Central to the modernization effort are investments in communication networks and air defense systems.

The HAF is proceeding with the integration of Link-16 across all platforms, the replacement of outdated HQ II radios with the new SATURN standard, and the development of a Mobile Communications Station by the Telecommunications and Electronics Factory (ETIM). This system will be connected to both the Air Defense networks and Link-16, ensuring interoperability and resilience.

Simultaneously, the Air Force is preparing to procure new early warning RADAR systems to detect low-RCS and ballistic missile threats, while the future reinforcement of the Unified Air Defense System with additional advanced anti-aircraft systems is under consideration.

Education, Outreach, and International Cooperation

The Chief emphasized the Air Force’s investment in training and international openness.

The International Flight Training Center at 120 Air Training Wing (120 ΠΕΑ) has been certified as a NATO Flight Training Europe (NFTE) Center, while the Operational Synthetic Training Squadron (MESE) is developing a virtual reality simulator network to train pilots in state-of-the-art operational environments.

He noted that Italian, German, and Croatian pilots are already being trained there, with trainees from the United Kingdom, Serbia, and Finland expected to follow soon. “Such partnerships yield significant economic and strategic benefits for our country,” he emphasized.

Personnel Welfare and Social Mission

Special emphasis was placed on the human dimension of the Air Force.

The Chief praised the contribution of personnel “who work tirelessly, with personal sacrifices and deprivations,” stressing that every mission is a continuation of the chain of honor forged by the pioneers of Greek aviation.

He also announced a program to improve living conditions, including new housing and upgrades to existing facilities, as well as the modernization of the 251 General Air Force Hospital with cutting-edge medical equipment.

“The Air Force,” he said, “is present in every moment of crisis and hope — in airlifts, natural disasters, firefighting, and search and rescue missions,” reaffirming its humanitarian role.

“The Air Force Is an Idea, a Duty, and Greece”

Concluding his message, Lieutenant General Grigoriadis assured the President of the Hellenic Republic and the Greek people that “the Air Force is fully prepared to respond to any challenge,” highlighting the high morale and mission awareness of its personnel.

“The Hellenic Air Force writes History through its achievements and combat power,” he said, reminding that “its strength is measured not only in aircraft and systems but in the spirit, training, and soul of its people.”

The message concluded with the words:
“The Air Force is not merely a weapon – it is an Idea, it is a Duty, it is Greece. Long live the Nation! Long live the Hellenic Air Force!”

Full Text of the Daily Order of the Chief of the Hellenic Air Force General Staff, Lieutenant General (I) Demosthenis Grigoriadis, on the Occasion of the Patron Saint Celebration

Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, Cadets of the Air Force Academies, Airmen, and Civilian Staff,

With respect and great joy, we honor today our patron, Archangel Michael, a day of celebration for the Hellenic Air Force and all of us who serve within it.

It is a day that serves as a hymn to the spirit, duty, and dedication that have always characterized all who have worn—and continue to wear—the honored uniform of the Airman. From the pioneers of the Aegean skies to the crews of modern fighter aircraft, the Air Force stands as guardian of the sky, guarantor of peace and national sovereignty, defender of the nation’s ideals and values.

At the same time, this day is also one of remembrance and honor for all those who sacrificed themselves for the homeland in the line of duty. They inspire us, we honor them, and we never forget them. It is their sacrifice that allows us to stand here today and celebrate freely.
Unfortunately, “the tree of freedom and the security of our homeland is watered and nourished by the blood of its heroes.”

We live in a volatile and turbulent region, where developments do not allow complacency. The presence of hybrid threats and the emergence of new dangers through modern technologies have created an environment in which we must adapt, evolve, change, and act decisively to move toward a new era—while always maintaining the Air Force’s combat readiness.

To achieve these goals, bold and realistic reforms are required, taking into account new parameters in every sector. Operating in a fluid geopolitical environment, we plan, schedule, and implement objectives with the ultimate aim of being protagonists—not mere observers—of events and developments.

The Hellenic Air Force is today on a path of renewal and transformation, adjusting to the demands of an ever-changing operational landscape. Currently, an unprecedented program of modernization, upgrading, and unification of the combat aircraft fleet is underway, progressing at remarkable speed.
We may rightly say that we are living through the most massive renewal of our arsenal since the Air Force’s founding.

At the same time, in recent years, it has been a strategic choice to invest in innovation.
Taking advantage of modern technology and our capable personnel, we have achieved remarkable results through our own resources and initiative.

The acquisition of RAFALE aircraft, the modernization of F-16 Block 52+/ADV, and soon of F-16 Block 50s to the Viper version, are only the beginning. Participation in the F-35 program marks a decisive milestone that reshapes the operational and geopolitical landscape of the Southeastern Mediterranean.
The arrival of this new fighter in 2030 will be a true leap into the future, expected to transform the Air Force’s operational philosophy.
This acquisition will enhance deterrence, strengthen Greece’s role as a reliable ally and stabilizing factor, and open new paths for high-technology cooperation and joint operational structures with friendly and allied forces.

Additionally, the capabilities in the field of innovation and research are multiplying.
The Hellenic Air Force will be able to identify and integrate modern battle architectures that redefine the conduct of operations, such as Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) and the Loyal Wingman Concept, in which manned and unmanned platforms operate in coordination as one interconnected combat system.

This clearly demonstrates that the Air Force will continue to invest systematically in innovation as a driver of operational superiority.
These new architectures, with their multiple benefits for mission effectiveness and the survivability of friendly forces, will establish the Airman of the Future as the leader of a networked, intelligent, and dynamic operational ecosystem.

However, the transformation of the Air Force is not limited to combat aircraft alone.
The renewal of our assets is comprehensive. With the goal of enhancing our operational capabilities in tactical air transport and reducing operating costs, we are working daily to increase the availability of transport aircraft, while also exploring the acquisition of new aircraft to meet the Air Force’s needs.

At the same time, the renewal of air rescue assets is being examined — a particularly sensitive area for our national interests in the Aegean Sea.

The integration of Link-16 across all Air Force assets, along with the upgrade of radio communications through new encryption devices, remains one of our top priorities.
Equally crucial is the replacement of all outdated radios operating on the obsolete NATO HQ II standard with those operating under the new SATURN standard.

In parallel, the Telecommunications and Electronics Factory (ETIM) has designed and constructed a modern Mobile Communications Station, which supports, beyond traditional Command and Control networks, connections to the Link-16 network, the Air Defense network, and modern UHF radios.
This development offers significant flexibility and survivability during operations.

It is also worth noting that, in order to enhance our air defense capabilities against modern threats, the procurement of new early-warning RADAR systems has already been initiated.
These acquisitions will upgrade the Air Force’s capacity to detect low-RCS aerial threats and ballistic missiles in time.

The air defense capability will be further upgraded through the future acquisition of additional modern anti-aircraft and anti-missile systems within the framework of the Unified Air Defense System.

Nevertheless, all modernization efforts would remain empty words if we did not also invest in infrastructure, procedures, and training programs.
Therefore, upgrading education in our Air Force Academies—the very institutions where new officers and future leaders are shaped—is of paramount importance.

Fully aware of the sacrifices made by the Greek people to realize this ambitious yet necessary modernization program, we have also invested substantially in development and innovation.

Striking examples include the International Flight Training Center at 120 Air Training Wing, which has now been certified as a NATO training center under the NATO Flight Training Europe (NFTE) framework, and the progress of the Operational Synthetic Training Squadron (MESE).

The International Center has already received numerous requests from countries interested in flight training.
These requests are being evaluated based on our current capabilities, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that, apart from Italian, German, and one Croatian pilot already trained, we will soon train pilots from the United Kingdom, Serbia, and Finland as well.

Such international partnerships will yield significant economic benefits for Greece and will further contribute to the Center’s development.

At the same time, we are working toward the completion of a virtual reality simulator network across the Air Wings, coordinated by MESE, which—together with the development of a synthetic training and Air Defense-linked network—will ensure continuous adaptation to modern training demands.

This system will also facilitate remote collaboration, drastically reducing training costs and the need for physical relocation.

Simultaneously, we are striving for an outward-looking Air Force that plays a leading role internationally, firmly established as a reliable and stable partner in the eyes of allies and friends.

This extroversion also applies domestically through programs designed to connect the Air Force with society, especially the younger generation.

Within this framework, a program of visits is being implemented across municipalities throughout Greece, where young people have the opportunity to experience flight through simulators and learn about the Air Force’s work.
These initiatives aim to inspire aviation awareness and encourage recruitment into the Air Force Academies.

At the same time, initiatives are being implemented to highlight allied relations and revive historical events, such as the recent event “Common Flight Paths in the Desert Skies – Honoring the Hellenic and British Air Forces.”

The Airman is not only a guardian of the skies—he is also present beside his fellow citizens in every moment of crisis and hope.

With consistency and humility, the Air Force assists wherever there is need:
in medical airlifts, disaster response, humanitarian aid transport, search and rescue missions, aerial firefighting, and initiatives of solidarity, education, and culture that directly impact human life.

The zeal and self-sacrifice demonstrated by our personnel in performing their duties—often beyond the limits of what is humanly possible—are proven by the blood tribute we have paid, through the sacrifice of many young and brave men and women, both in the air and on the ground.

All of them deserve our respect and gratitude.

Yet none of the above achievements would have been possible without the decisive contribution of our personnel—of every specialty—who work tirelessly, often under difficult conditions, with personal sacrifice and deprivation.

Every flight, every mission, every successful operation is a continuation of the same chain of honor and sacrifice forged by the pioneers of the past and carried forward by today’s guardians of the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean skies.

The least we can do to honor their contribution is to design initiatives and programs that support their welfare.

Our primary objective remains the improvement of living conditions.
Starting from the Air Force Academies, and in addition to the housing program developed by the Ministry of Defense (MoD), a comprehensive housing initiative has begun at the Air Force level, funded by its own budget.
This plan aims to alleviate the housing problem by constructing new residences across Greece and improving existing facilities.

Within the same framework, a major program is underway to upgrade the infrastructure and equipment of the 251 General Air Force Hospital (251 GNA), including the procurement of latest-generation medical machinery.

The integration of modern platforms, the development of innovative technologies, the adoption of collaborative combat architectures, and the strong social presence together form a comprehensive strategic vision.

With vision, responsibility, and teamwork, we are preparing the Hellenic Air Force to meet the challenges of the future, ensuring that our organization remains one of the strongest and most respected Air Forces globally.

Your Excellency, Mr. President,

The Hellenic Air Force constitutes a stable and decisive component of national power, capable of meeting the expectations of the Greek people and the challenges that our homeland may face.

I assure you of the combat readiness, high morale, and commitment of our personnel, who work daily with dedication, selflessness, and devotion.
Whenever required, under any circumstance or challenge, we are fully prepared to defend our sovereign rights and national interests.

Men and women of the Hellenic Air Force,

“The Hellenic Air Force writes history through its performance and combat power.”
This strength is measured not only by aircraft or systems but above all by your spirit, your training, and your soul.

To you—the men and women who serve with conscientiousness and a sense of mission—belongs every honor, every success, every prospect for tomorrow.

I congratulate and thank you for your work, your efforts, and the sacrifices made daily by you and your families, for your contribution thus far, and I call upon you to continue working together with the same zeal and sense of responsibility, as one team.

Always remember that we stand upon the firm foundations and lessons of the past while envisioning a bright future for an Air Force that is modern, innovative, and strong.

With our eyes turned upward, to where the blue and white flag flies, let us always remember that:
“The Hellenic Air Force is not merely a weapon – it is an Idea, a Duty, and Greece.”

Long live the Nation! Long live the Hellenic Air Force! Happy Name Day!