The Greek Ministry of National Defense plans to create combat units with high operational and logistical autonomy, which will be deployed on the islands in the Aegean Sea and in the northeastern border region of Evros, reports the newspaper “Kathimerini“, BTA reports.
The measures are part of the large-scale initiative “Agenda 2030“, which aims to restructure and modernize the country's armed forces. After the closure of the First Army (with headquarters in Larissa), the new command model focuses on greater decentralization and combat effectiveness on the ground.
The goal is for each formation to be maximum self-sufficient in the event of isolation, including in the provision of food, water and energy:
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Growing vegetables and food on a minimum area;
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Installations for desalinizing sea water;
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Use of solar panels for energy independence.
Particular attention is paid to the islands in the eastern Aegean Sea, considered vulnerable in the event of conflict due to their proximity to Turkey. The approach is based on lessons learned from the war in Ukraine, where small combat groups successfully repelled a superior enemy.
Technological modernization is also a key part of the reform. Each formation will have:
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FPV (First Person View) drones, also suitable for offensive operations, with efforts aimed at limiting their price to below 500 euros;
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Portable anti-drone equipment, providing tactical protection for front-line units;
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Underground critical infrastructure, to be built by 2028, for greater security of the bases;
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Anti-ship missile systems, to be deployed on the islands to enhance maritime defense.
According to Defense Minister Nikos Dendias, all these measures are aimed at transforming the Greek combat units in resilient, mobile and technologically advanced formations, prepared for future threats.