Gov’t unveils ‘bold’ military overhaul

The Defense Ministry has submitted a sweeping defence betterment measure aimed astatine reshaping the Armed Forces into a much flexible unit with higher combat readiness and salaries aligned with training and responsibilities.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis described the measures arsenic “bold,” and said that contempt expected opposition, “they determination perfectly successful the close direction.”

The bill, presented by Defense Minister Nikos Dendias astatine the Officers’ Club of the Armed Forces, sets retired to upgrade subject academies and overhaul conscription. Among the astir notable changes is the mandatory training of conscripts successful drone operations.

The authorities besides targets draught avoidance, a increasing situation successful caller years. About 30,000 conscripts were classified arsenic unfit for work successful the past three years, 76% of them for intelligence reasons. Cases of draught dodging wrong and extracurricular the state person besides risen, with much than 36,000 recorded successful 2024.

Exemptions will present necessitate certification from elder nationalist infirmary officials, while imperishable unfitness will lone beryllium granted aft 5 years, subject to reappraisal by the Disability Certification Center.

Other measures see raising the property bounds for buying retired subject work to 40 from 33, astatine a outgo of 1,500 euros per period of work alternatively of €900. Undergraduate deferments will extremity astatine 25 alternatively than 28, and deferments for doctoral studies will beryllium constricted to property 30.

For conscripts, work will beryllium shortened from 12 months to 9 for those entering instantly aft precocious school. A nine-month term will besides use to those serving successful the Evros borderline region, the eastbound Aegean, Cyprus, Special Forces, and the Presidential Guard. Training will beryllium concentrated successful the Army, with 10 weeks of basal training, including simulators and drones, followed by specialized and operational training successful high-readiness units.

The measure besides establishes a reserve unit of astir 150,000 up to property 60, merging with the National Guard. Volunteer reservists will beryllium called much regularly, with two caller units for commandos and paratroopers. Incentives see subject infirmary care, entree to subject shops, and workplace protections.

For 2026, the instrumentality foresees a aviator programme for up to 200 pistillate volunteers. Implementation will statesman aft parliamentary approval.