Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias met his UK counterpart to strengthen defense ties, discuss Eastern Mediterranean security, and outline Greece’s major defense modernization programs under the “Agenda 2030.”

Athens prepares a €5 billion defense procurement package focused on air defense, fighter jet upgrades and naval modernization. The plan also guarantees at least 25% participation for Greek companies, creating an estimated €1.25 billion benefit for the domestic industry

The total cost is estimated at around four billion euros, according to two sources later quoted by Reuters

The proposals include the upgrade of F-16 fighter aircraft, the development of the “Achilles Shield” air-defense system, and the modernization of naval frigates.

Turkey’s international presence has created a kind of “myth” around its capabilities

Upgrades to the fighter plane fleet, inter-connectivity and infrastructure are also included in the plan

Greece’s defense minister will meet his UK counterpart John Healey to discuss NATO issues and bilateral cooperation, as Athens also reviews transparency reforms in military procurement and updates on key defense programs.

A foreign ministry spokeswoman reiterated that unilateral claims concerning the demilitarization of the Aegean islands are unfounded and have been repeatedly rejected

The Greek Defense Minister also referenced the broader regional picture, noting that the two sides had agreed to coordinate efforts with their Romanian counterpart

Ankara criticizes the deployment of an anti-aicraft and anti-missile system and F-16 deployments in the Aegean, interpreting international treaties to fit its narrative

Antonio Costa linked the war with the conflict in Ukraine, saying Russia was the only winner due to rising oil prices.

An Iranian ballistic missile entering Turkish airspace was intercepted by NATO defenses in the eastern Mediterranean, according to Turkey’s Defense Ministry, marking the second such incident in a week. Debris fell in southeastern Turkey with no reported casualties

The air-defense system arrived on the Greek island amid Middle East tensions, following reported Iranian drone attacks near a British base in Cyprus.

Defense Minister Nikos Dendias says there is no information about drone threats near Crete and insists Greece and Cyprus are fully protected, with Greek ships and defense systems deployed in the region

Following drone attacks on British bases, Cyprus will receive French anti-air and anti-drone systems, with a second frigate expected soon, while Germany is also considering support

Defense Minister Nikos Dendias convened a high-level meeting Monday and ordered daily 8 a.m. briefings with the military leadership to assess developments in the wider Middle East, confirming that all security protocols are fully in place.

The UK Defense Chief warned that the episode demonstrated “how indiscriminate” Iran’s retaliatory actions have become.

Nikos Dendias meets NATO’s top European commander and a U.S. Senate delegation in Athens amid heightened geopolitical tensions