29.07.2025 17:01
Greece's Defense Minister Nikos Dendias, in a speech at parliament, stated that Turkey's defense capabilities are rapidly increasing, saying, "We were even late yesterday." Describing Turkey as a "large and ambitious neighbor," Dendias admitted to the military inadequacy in the Aegean.
The Greek Minister of Defense, Nikos Dendias, drew attention to Turkey's rise in the defense industry with a striking speech in parliament. Describing Turkey as a "large and increasingly growing threat," Dendias's statements from the parliamentary podium resonated widely both in the parliament and in public opinion.
"INCREASING ITS POWER CONTINUOUSLY AND..."
In his speech, Dendias stated that Turkey is not only increasing its military power but is also becoming a more assertive and demanding actor in the region. Addressing the deputies, Dendias said, "I express to you a deep concern." He added, "We must create the means to stop a neighbor that is continuously increasing its power and is extremely ambitious, as soon as possible, not tomorrow but yesterday. Such a situation was not the case about 10 years ago, but today there is a large and increasingly growing threat."
"AGENDA 2030" CONFESSION
Making significant statements regarding Greece's military capacity in the Aegean Sea, Dendias announced that the Athens administration has activated a defense strategy called "Agenda 2030" due to concerns that it cannot defend the islands simultaneously. He noted that developments in Turkey's defense industry form the basis of this strategy. One of Dendias's striking statements was admitting that the proportion of sailors serving in the Aegean is below 5%. This situation is considered to reveal a serious weakness in the Greek army's naval power.
RADICAL CHANGE IN THE MILITARY SYSTEM
Under the "Agenda 2030" plan, military service in Greece will only be conducted within the army. Recruitment in the navy and air force will completely cease. Instead, units serving in the islands and border areas will be granted more autonomy in their decision-making processes.
NEW MILITARY COMMANDS ARE BEING ESTABLISHED
As part of the defense reforms, it has been announced that four new High Military Commands will be established:
- ASDYS – Central Greece, Peloponnese, and Thessaly
- ASDIM – Epirus and Macedonia
- ASDITH – Thrace
- ASDAM – Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean
The Greek media evaluates Dendias's speech as "a new turning point in threat perception," noting that Turkey's military and diplomatic influence in the region has triggered a fundamental change in Greek security policies.