Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis presented a new defense plan worth 25 billion euros, with a 12-year horizon, to the Hellenic Parliament on Tuesday, April 2.
Highlighting the strategic importance of such investments, he emphasized that strengthening defense capabilities is a direct investment in national sovereignty. He also stressed that participation of the Greek defense industry in these programs should be a fundamental requirement.
Mitsotakis underscored that national defense funding extends beyond procurement, serving as a long-term commitment to maintaining the country’s stability and independence in an evolving global landscape.
He pointed to the broader impact of a robust defense policy, citing Greece’s ability to deter threats, such as migration flows at the Evros border, safeguard its rights in the Aegean, and secure strategic alliances with the United States and France. These partnerships, he noted, provide crucial security assurances in an increasingly uncertain geopolitical environment.
Security, he argued, is a pillar of prosperity, as economic growth and social cohesion depend on a secure environment. Without protection from external threats, sustainable development and innovation cannot flourish.
Mitsotakis dismissed the traditional debate, often raised by left-wing parties, between military spending and social investment, calling it outdated and dangerous, especially in a world undergoing rapid geopolitical shifts, trade disputes, and technological competition.
The prime minister also addressed the shifting global power dynamics, stressing that Greece must make critical defense decisions in response to evolving military, economic, and technological challenges. He noted that U.S. defense priorities regarding NATO appear to be changing, requiring Europe to reconsider its own strategic positioning.
In this context, he reiterated Greece’s advocacy for European defense autonomy, a stance that initially had limited support but has since gained traction among European partners. Recent EU defense decisions, he asserted, align closely with Greece’s national interests.
Among the most significant achievements is the introduction of a fiscal escape clause, allowing additional defense investments without breaching EU budgetary constraints.
However, Mitsotakis made it clear that this fiscal flexibility would not be misused for excessive spending.
Addressing concerns about salary increases for uniformed personnel, he reassured that the government remains committed to supporting security forces, with further financial measures to be outlined in the upcoming economic announcements at the Thessaloniki International Fair.
