Armed Forces’ modernization program underway, PM says at Defense Ministry facelift ceremony

Greece is implementing the astir ambitious modernization programme successful its Armed Forces’ history, with implicit €28 cardinal committed implicit 12 years – a vision symbolically reflected successful the caller bioclimatic facade of the Ministry of National Defense – Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said astatine the project’s unveiling ceremonial connected Wednesday night.  

He linked subject renewal with nationalist individuality and humanities continuity, calling sculptor Kostas Varotsos’ plan “a tribute to those who sacrificed for freedom.” He said the upgraded gathering embodies some technological advancement and remembrance.

Mitsotakis reaffirmed that defending the homeland is simply a “non-negotiable priority,” highlighting Greece’s caller acquisitions of Rafale and F-16 Viper jets, the upcoming F-35 fighters, Belharra frigates, and expanded unmanned systems, noting that “the Armed Forces are being strengthened similar ne'er before.”

The caller façade spans 340 meters, featuring 730 vertical aluminum louvers that amended vigor ratio and architectural coherence. It forms portion of Varotsos’ “Ark of National Memory,” inscribed with the names of 121,692 fallen heroes.

Defense Minister Nikos Dendias described Varotsos’ instauration arsenic “uplift and restoration,” noting the vertical metallic elements “symbolize the assurance and austerity that pb us to the future.” 

He announced a plan contention to redesign the Monument to the Unknown Soldier, aiming to reenforce its relation arsenic a symbol of nationalist unity. 

Two olive groves, with 25 and 28 trees respectively, astatine the ministry, people Greece’s landmark dates – March 25, 1821, the start of the War of Independence, and October 28, 1940, when Greece defied the fascist invasion.