The Greek National Security Council (KYSEA) is set to convene at noon on Holy Wednesday, April 16, under the leadership of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The meeting, to be held at the Maximos Mansion, will focus on the ambitious new 12-year armament program valued at 25 billion eurow, an initiative the prime minister outlined in Parliament two weeks ago.
Defense Minister Nikos Dendias is expected to officially propose the procurement of a fourth Belharra frigate, a move anticipated during his recent meeting with French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu.
The addition of a new frigate is seen as a key element in the country’s evolving strategic deterrence doctrine, which reportedly envisions a modernized fleet comprising 16 surface vessels. Central to Greece’s request is the inclusion of strategic weaponry, such as SCALP Naval missiles, aboard the new ship.
The bilateral defense cooperation between Greece and France continues to deepen. As highlighted during the Dendias-Lecornu talks, the signing of an intergovernmental agreement for the acquisition of 16 Exocet missiles and the ongoing NH90 helicopter program reflect the convergence of strategic priorities between the two countries.
Dendias also underscored joint efforts in the field of innovation, inviting French participation in Greece’s broader defense modernization agenda and its path toward the 2030 strategic framework.
Integral to this long-term defense vision is the enhanced role of Greece’s domestic defense industry, which is expected to contribute significantly to the upcoming procurement efforts.
Meanwhile, the prime minister’s office has denied reports that the high-voltage subsea cable project linking Greece, Cyprus, and Israel will be discussed at the KYSEA meeting.
The clarification follows remarks by Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis during the 10th Delphi Economic Forum, emphasizing the technical complexity of the project. He noted that while preparatory actions are ongoing, no binding timeline has been set, and operations such as surveying and cable laying will proceed in due course.
Adding to the country’s geopolitical obligations, Greece is expected to submit its maritime spatial planning to the European Commission in the coming weeks, following a February ruling against it by the European Court of Justice.
The submission must address key maritime boundaries, including agreements on Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) with Egypt and Italy, as well as Greece’s continental shelf.
