Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited the National Center for Air Operations in Larissa on Saturday, using the occasion to send a message of reassurance to the Greek public amid heightened regional tensions, making reference to the Achilles Shield defensive system.
“I had the opportunity to confirm once again the absolute operational readiness of the Armed Forces and their control of Greek airspace,” Mitsotakis said. “I want to send a message from Larissa today that Greeks can trust their Armed Forces in these turbulent times.”
The Prime Minister praised the military’s personnel as possessing not only excellent training but the operational readiness to meet any challenge, difficulty or order from civilian leadership. He also highlighted Greece’s expanding regional security role, noting that the country is currently providing security not only to Cyprus but also to Bulgaria — a reference to the recent deployment of a Patriot battery and F-16s in support of the neighboring ally.
“This demonstrates in practical terms that the significant investments made in the Armed Forces have paid off,” he said.
Mitsotakis also signaled that Greece’s defense buildup is far from complete, describing the “Shield of Achilles” air defense program as an ambitious initiative that will provide the country with comprehensive protection against both current and future threats.
The Larissa visit was part of a broader regional trip during which Mitsotakis also attended a pre-congress event of his ruling New Democracy party and met with representatives of the agricultural sector, as he routinely does when visiting rural areas.
