Greece announces major overhaul of armed forces under “Agenda 2030”
Greek Minister of National Defense Nikos Dendias unveiled the second phase of military reforms under the government’s “Agenda 2030”, signaling a significant shift in Greece’s defense doctrine and military structure.
Key Reform Highlights:
📌 New Conscription Policy
Starting January 1, 2026, mandatory military service will be limited to the Army. The Navy and Air Force will no longer accept conscripts, except for specific technical roles. A new training model and legal framework will be presented in September 2025.
📌 Structural Changes to Command
The current hierarchy will be streamlined. The 1st Army Command and 4th Army Corps will be dissolved, replaced by four new regional commands:
Thrace Command
Epirus-Macedonia Command
Aegean-East Mediterranean Command
Logistics and Support Command
Additionally, each branch will incorporate dedicated drone units, aiming to modernize force capabilities and enhance digital integration.
📌 Base and Court Consolidation
The Ministry of Defense will close 45 military bases, reducing the total from 837 to 655. Also, the number of military courts will drop from 15 to 6, in a move to cut administrative costs and improve efficiency.
📌 Increased Soldier Compensation
The monthly stipend for conscripts will rise dramatically:
Mainland service: €50 (up from €8.80)
Border islands and remote areas: €100
Military academy students and naval personnel will also receive new allowances.
📌 Housing and Underground Defense Projects
To improve quality of life for military personnel, 1,059 new housing units will be built — exceeding the total constructed in the past 20 years. Furthermore, 522 underground defense facilities will be constructed to bolster island and land defense capabilities, with a majority to be completed within three years.
📌 New 12-Year Armament Plan: “Achilles’ Shield”
For the first time, Greece announced a 12-year defense investment strategy, titled “Achilles’ Shield”, involving 10 major projects prioritizing domestic defense industries. The plan is scalable up to 20 years, depending on evolving defense needs.
Minister Dendias emphasized in his statement:
“We are committed to transforming the Greek military into a modern, flexible, and digitally advanced force. Our reforms aim to ensure structural efficiency, technological superiority, and long-term security for our nation.”
This sweeping reform marks one of the most ambitious modernization efforts in Greek military history.
