Dendias: “We are asking the US for the most modern weapons for the F-35” – Phase C of the New Force Structure: 56 units and 126 camps merged or closed, drones and satellites

Defence Minister Nikos Dendias on Tuesday, October 20, presented Phase C of the New Force Structure of the Armed Forces 2024-2035, as part of the “Agenda 2030” reform. According to the official announcement, the change leads to mergers and abolitions of 56 units and 126 installations and camps, with the reallocation of 15,300 personnel to units of high operational weight and advanced technology. At the presentation, in the “Ioannis Kapodistrias” hall of the Ministry, were the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, General Dimitrios Choupis, and the chiefs of the Branches.

“The necessity that imposed this Phase C is the need to move to the joint multi-domain field in which operations are conducted today,” Dendias said, explaining that to sea, air and land are added Space, Cyberspace and the Electromagnetic Spectrum, together with an automated C5ISR-T command and control system and with unmanned and autonomous systems as a structural element of the Branches.

Drone brigade, the 309 Factory and satellites

In the Army, an Unmanned Systems Brigade is being created at Litochoro, together with a special unit of unmanned supply, transport and medical-support vehicles, so that the “last mile” to the combat unit, in Evros or on the islands, is covered by autonomous vehicles. The Navy and the Air Force acquire bases for unmanned and autonomous systems, while the Navy also forms an Electronic Warfare Command. The minister mentioned the “Pyrpolitis” and autonomous vessels of the SARONIC type, saying the Greek Navy will be the first in Europe to integrate unmanned and autonomous systems structurally.

The inauguration of the joint 309 Unmanned Systems Factory in Attica and of the Air Force Space Operations Command Centre is expected in early December. On space, Dendias said that, according to the Ministry’s plans, the country will acquire a geostationary satellite, three medium-orbit satellites through the European IRIS programme and low-orbit SAR radar satellites through cooperation with Poland. As he noted, Hellas Sat “is not Greek-owned, despite the name”. For the Air Force, the plan envisages up to six collaborative drones flying with each F-35.

Weapons for the F-35

The minister explicitly asked Washington for the most modern weapons for the aircraft, and not for older missile types: “This is what we are asking from the US, this is what I told Mr Rubio. It makes no sense for them not to give us the latest weapons. That deprives the aircraft itself of capabilities.” The updated 2027-2038 procurement plan includes, he said, the modernisation of 70 F-16s to Viper and the new weapons for the F-35s (see our analysis of Rubio’s “no official answer”).

Half a billion in savings, returned to personnel

The organisational changes bring savings of about €530 million over five years and another €600 million from using material of low or reduced operational capability. As an example, the minister said an FDI frigate costs about €2 million a year, while a Kortenaer costs €7.3 million, and that the PULS needs two people against six for an M109. The Navy plans 21 decommissionings over five years, and there is an understanding for two Gaeta-class minehunters from Italy beyond the 2+2 Bergamini.

The money, he said, will be returned to the personnel. He announced supported living accommodation for retired personnel in Penteli, with 25 beds initially and 50 immediately, and a limit of 200 days a year at sea for Fleet crews, with multiple compensation when the national interest requires more. The 424 Military Hospital and the Chania Hospital become joint, while a Joint Trauma Centre at the 401 Hospital goes ahead with a €5 million donation. A bill will also be submitted to Parliament on G2G contracts, so that Greece can export, and on mandatory 25% participation of Greek defence industry in every procurement programme.

Answering questions, Dendias said the Strykers are being examined as a free transfer at the small cost of transport. On Saudi Arabia, he said he will recommend to the National Security Council (ΚΥΣΕΑ) an extension of the stay of the Greek missiles, after his visit to Riyadh and his meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. As he said, the Kingdom moved to meet its financial obligations 24 hours after his departure, and “whatever misunderstandings may have existed were resolved”. The minister also posted the presentation on X.