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From the hybrid threat in Evros to the ORUC REIS and from the “key” alliances to the armament reinforcement with Rafale and new frigates – How the Armed Forces managed to give forceful responses to the Turks, to offer valuable assistance in the battle against Korono and the same time to make movements that strengthen all three branches.
As we move into the early days of 2021, a sober account of what has been said during 2020 is always fruitful, offering the opportunity to highlight both the positives and the shortcomings that have emerged after more than a decade of contraction of defense spending. Using and analyzing these business lessons, therefore, can undoubtedly be the trigger for a correct and rational planning of the year that has just begun. The year we left behind was full of challenges, through which, however, the corresponding opportunities for reorganization and equipping of the army arose, which have already taken or will soon take the road of final implementation.
Last March, thousands of immigrants and refugees made a persistent attempt to break into the Greek border at Evros, apparently instigated by the Turkish state apparatus of then-resigned Interior Minister Soilo, who, to channel the organized crowd to the border. The clear “hybrid” attack was met with absolute success thanks to the determination of the officers of the Armed Forces, the Security Forces and Bodies, but also the residents of the area. However, the successful response to this crisis was not seen as an isolated event, but as part of a provocative action by Turkey, which could potentially be repeated and with the appropriate “stimulus”, and perhaps on an even larger scale.
The result of this crisis was the government’s decision to strengthen our land borders both in material terms, such as the maintenance of the existing security infrastructure, the strengthening of the existing fence, and its expansion in the Fera area. The Armed Forces under the leadership of GEETHA also played a leading role in this case, with the construction and installation of artificial barriers and new battle positions. The valuable experience of this crisis was reflected in the development of new instructions and business lessons for better shielding of our land and sea borders that can be used in the future.
In 2020, however, it was characterized by another Greek-Turkish crisis, which clearly does not surprise us as our neighbors over time are careful to keep the thermometer high with their unfounded demands, but it was the longest so far, counting more than three months. of greater preparation, patrols, personnel and means. All our Armed Forces were put on alert and vigilance was increased, highlighting our Fleet, which was deployed throughout the Greek maritime territory, witnessing the provocative parade of ORUC REIS and its ship attendants. The reaction of the Armed Forces and especially of the crews of our warships was more than exemplary. Their determination is demonstrated, at the very least, by the tireless hunt launched by our anti-submarine units against the Turkish submarines, forcing them to indicate their presence and indirectly admit defeat.
However, our Armed Forces were called to assist simultaneously with the operational and in another field, that of the active contribution to society as a whole and the assistance of the state mechanism in an unprecedented crisis for the country’s health data, so that performed equally satisfactorily. The social contribution of the Armed Forces is a valuable service for the state and was confirmed once again with their assistance during the cyclone “IANOS” where an important part of the distribution of food was made to the inhabitants of the most affected areas (Karditsa and Cephalonia), as well as repair damage to the road network and state infrastructure.
However, the contribution of the Armed Forces to the management of the Covid-19 pandemic is also exceptional, where in addition to providing funds for the transport of patients from remote areas, they carried out a series of actions in collaboration with the General Secretariat of Civil Protection. The availability of specialized personnel in the structures of the Ministry of Health, medical facilities, as well as the active participation of Armed Forces personnel in the “ELEFTHERIA” operation included the timely and fluid transfer of vaccines to vaccination centers throughout the country. In addition, the establishment of rapid virus testing centers in military units to improve the epidemiological surveillance of the country and decongest the National Health System, has contributed and continues to play a key role in the management of the pandemic. 2020 was also a year in which the contribution of the Greek army exceeded the borders of our country. The valuable humanitarian aid sent for food and medicine by the Ikaria Ferry provided significant relief to the wintering Lebanese who were put to the test by the deadly explosions in the port of Beirut.
However, last year also marked the beginning of specific initiatives to reorganize and improve the combat readiness of the Armed Forces. One of them is the reorganization of the Interdisciplinary Special Operations Command and its transformation into a Special Warfare Command, a vision of the Chief of Staff since he was Commander of the 13th Special Operations Command. This transformation creates an organization that will bring together the foam of the special forces and the three branches under a flexible form of administration, organized according to the standards of the special forces of countries with significant tradition in Special Operations, thus being the spearhead of the Armed Forces. Forces in any theater of operations.
The ongoing crises have also highlighted the need to update business plans at both strategic and operational / tactical levels. They were also the trigger for the consequent actions to improve and renew the Armed Forces personnel and their equipment. As in the case of the hybrid attack on Evros, the ORUC REIS crisis has consolidated the perception of maintaining and further developing a high deterrent power, since the Turkish provocation will remain at the same level, if not increase.
The implementation of actions focused on the one hand will renew and strengthen the personnel of the Armed Forces, such as the recruitment of a significant number of EPOP and OBA and the increase in the number of admission of those admitted to the Productive Schools. On the other hand, they will provide you with an important deterrent power, so that any potential opponent can think seriously before taking on any challenge.
The consolidation of the need to modernize the quality of the Armed Forces systems and resources is not unequivocal, it is limited only to the acquisition of new ones but also includes the maintenance of existing ones in excellent operational condition, especially now that the clouds of challenges in our region are constantly thickening. The weapons program prepared by GEETHA, taking into account both the current geopolitical situation and the financial resources available, was designed in a rapid and gradual manner in three axes: the maintenance of existing systems and means and the improvement / improvement of the facilities. weapons systems and the acquisition of new ones. These actions have already taken the path of final implementation, after the acceleration of actions at the central level by GEETHA. The General Directorate of Defense Equipment and Investments (GDAEE) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is now responsible for the final contracting of the programs.
Also in this area, the key decision by military leaders to assist GDAEE with additional personnel from all three branches in order to expedite the completion of the planned team was a catalyst. Programs that were in the Staff’s plans, such as the acquisition of a squad of 18 latest generation RAFALE fighters, the subsequent support of the Mirage 2000, the modernization of the F-16 in the Viper version, “worked” quickly and were implemented in a timely manner. impressively short, vertically multiplying the operational profit of the Armed Forces, at a time when they need it more than ever. “At the same time, however, the procedures for the integration into the Fleet of four new multifunction frigates are in full swing, as well as two intermediate solution ships with advanced capabilities, with parallel modernization of the four existing MEKO frigates, as well as the acquisition of new high-resistance antitank torpedoes for the Navy.
Furthermore, the defense industry, which has been stagnant for several years, appears to be gaining new momentum through EU-funded programs (PESCO programs), exuding an air of optimism. Proof of this is the recent performance of four Greek defense systems companies in the announced tenders of the European Defense Service, which, in competition with giant companies in the sector, won most of the European grants for the development of their products and at the same time time comments.
In addition, however, at the initiative of the military leadership of the Armed Forces and despite the narrow budgetary margins, monetary compensation was granted to the officers of the Armed Forces, as a minimum sign of recognition of the service they provided throughout 2020. to the homeland, more months on the walls.
The strengthening of alliances on a bilateral or multilateral basis, with countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, France and Israel, as well as the intense defense diplomacy developed as a result of the Turkish provocation, significantly strengthened the specific geopolitical weight of our country, finally leaving the brand. a particularly demanding year for the Armed Forces with multiple and varied challenges, and particularly positive.
2020 was a year, a milestone for the entire country on many levels, social, political, economic, diplomatic and, of course, military. The challenges, especially at the military level due to Turkey’s aggressive and growing behavior, culminated in two very serious crises. However, the reflexes of the Armed Forces in both cases were immediate and not only decisively repelled the intruders, but also showed in the most evident way that strong Armed Forces can ensure the territorial integrity of our country in the face of any provocative behavior. .
With the valuable experiences acquired but mainly with the insurmountable need for equipment and improvement of the Armed Forces in terms of resources and personnel that was found in the most intense way last year, the bases were laid for a gradual but rapid reorganization of the Army so that in the following years, starting in 2021, to look to the future with optimism but also with more determination and confidence in the face of all challenges.
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