Μake us preferred on Google Greece is planning a major overhaul of its air force, aiming to build a fleet of 200 modern fighter aircraft supported by hundreds of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), Defense Minister Nikos Dendias announced Sunday.
Presenting the plans at the Hellenic Air Force Academy at Dhekelia Air Base in Tatoi, north of Athens, on November 8, Dendias said the transformation would also include an integrated air defense shield, aerial refueling capabilities and a greater role for space-based systems in military operations.
The announcement came during the official celebration of the Hellenic Air Force’s patron saint, Archangel Michael.
Dendias described air power as a central pillar of Greece’s deterrence capabilities and a key guarantee of national sovereignty and the country’s ability to exercise its sovereign rights.
Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias attends a ceremony at the Hellenic Air Force Academy marking the feast day of Archangel Michael, the patron saint of the Hellenic Air Force, in the presence of military leadership and Armed Forces personnel. Sunday, November 8, 2026 (Michalis Karagiannis / Eurokinissi)
The modernization program is part of the government’s broader “Agenda 2030” defense strategy. The minister emphasized that the objective goes beyond acquiring new weapons systems and involves a comprehensive transformation of the Air Force’s operational capabilities.
200 fighter aircraft and hundreds of drones
The proposed force of 200 modern fighter platforms would operate alongside hundreds of unmanned systems, marking a shift toward a networked model of air warfare.
Under this approach, piloted aircraft would function as part of a wider system, coordinating and directing unmanned platforms.
Dendias also highlighted plans to establish a Joint Unmanned Aircraft Training Center and develop an integrated air defense shield as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s overall defense capabilities.
Another priority is expanding aerial refueling capacity through tanker aircraft and modernizing the transport fleet. Three KC-390 Millennium aircraft are expected to join the fleet, providing new operational capabilities, including aerial refueling.
Greece is also seeking to expand the military use of space. Dendias said the country plans to make use of a series of satellites and establish a dedicated Space Directorate to strengthen the Armed Forces’ operational capabilities.
He also announced that the Space Command was scheduled to begin operating on Monday, November 9. The initiative will incorporate satellite systems into military planning and strengthen national control over communications.
Rafale, F-16 Vipers and preparations for the F-35
In his order of the day, Hellenic Air Force Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Dimosthenis Grigoriadis stressed the need for the service to adapt continuously to the changing nature of modern warfare.
The conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, instability in the Eastern Mediterranean and intensifying geopolitical competition demonstrate the decisive role of military power in deterring threats, he said.
Air superiority, Grigoriadis argued, no longer depends exclusively on fighter aircraft performance. It also requires the rapid use of intelligence, interoperability, resilient systems and the ability to address threats across multiple domains.
He identified the Rafale and F-16 Viper aircraft as the core of Greece’s modern air force. Other priorities include further standardizing the fighter fleet, upgrading F-16 Block 50 aircraft and integrating advanced air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons.
Grigoriadis also highlighted preparations for the introduction of fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets, describing their arrival as part of a transition toward a different operational philosophy based on interconnected systems and more effective cooperation between platforms.
Artificial intelligence and manned-unmanned cooperation
The Air Force chief placed particular emphasis on the concepts of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) and Loyal Wingman, which involve coordinated operations between piloted and unmanned aircraft.
Artificial intelligence and the integration of different platforms into a unified combat system will be central to future operational planning, he said.
Strengthening air defense is another key priority. Plans include upgraded surveillance, early-warning, command and control systems, as well as a multilayered defense network against aircraft and missile threats.
Other priorities include acquiring the KC-390 Millennium aircraft, increasing the availability of existing aircraft, strengthening search-and-rescue capabilities and upgrading logistical and technical support.
Personnel, training and infrastructure
Grigoriadis also emphasized the importance of personnel, saying operational readiness depends on highly motivated, properly trained and adequately supported staff.
He outlined plans to improve living conditions, upgrade facilities, expand housing support and provide better health care services for Air Force personnel.
He also highlighted the International Flight Training Center in Kalamata, which operates as a NATO-certified training facility under the NATO Flight Training Europe program. The development of modern simulators and synthetic training capabilities was another priority.
Paying tribute to airmen who lost their lives in the line of duty, Grigoriadis reaffirmed the high morale, professional training and operational readiness of Air Force personnel.
He summarized his vision for the service with the phrase: “Technology Evolves, Humans Prevail.”
The official celebration was attended by senior government, military and security officials, members of Parliament and representatives of local authorities.
Representatives of the Hellenic Police, Fire Service and Coast Guard also attended, alongside the secretary-general for Civil Protection, former ministers, local government officials, foreign defense attachés, representatives of the Armed Forces and security services, retired military officers’ associations and civilian Air Force personnel.
