FLASH NEWS
Greece plans massive defense investments, over 25 billion euros will go to aircraft, submarines and more
2025-03-31 18:38:08 / BOTA
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Defense Minister Nikos Dendias will present the country's defense modernization plan to Parliament on Wednesday.
The government plans to invest over 25 billion euros in defense by 2036, with a 12-year strategy that includes new submarines, drones, satellites and fighter jets.
The government is set to present an ambitious arms procurement plan, while its decision to press ahead with a pay hike for armed forces personnel aimed at attracting more new recruits is causing internal friction. The government's announcement last Friday of a 13% to 20% pay hike for armed forces personnel sparked immediate backlash.
Members of the security forces, coast guard and firefighters reacted swiftly, arguing that they were being unfairly left out. Their demands quickly gained support from ruling New Democracy MPs, who insisted that there should be no second- or third-class uniformed personnel. Leading the criticism was former minister Dimitris Avramopoulos, followed by ministers Vasilis Kikilias, Adonis Georgiadis and at least seven other MPs.
Officials in the Prime Minister’s Office expressed disappointment at the harsh reaction, stressing that economic policy is managed centrally. However, they also assured that all available fiscal space will be used to increase wages. At the same time, a deepening crisis of confidence in the political system is constantly reflected in opinion polls. The party landscape is showing signs of strain, with internal divisions widening in all major political parties.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis is expected to meet with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan. The meeting was initially intended to prepare for the April High-Level Cooperation Council between Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, but recent developments in Turkey, notably the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, appear to have postponed the meeting.
Happening now...
Rama-Meta, si aleanca e 1 Prillit zhbëhu Shqipërinë
Nga Namir Lapardhaja
ideas
top
TRENDING 
services
- POLICE129
- STREET POLICE126
- AMBULANCE112
- FIREFIGHTER128