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Greece is moving ahead with plans to roll out a new multilayered air defense network on Aegean islands near Türkiye, with Defense Minister Nikos Dendias touring military bases and naval facilities as part of the effort, according to a report.
Dendias, accompanied by Armed Forces Chief Gen. Dimitrios Choupis and Navy Chief Vice Adm. Dimitrios Kataras, is inspecting six strategically located islands that host key naval installations.
The visits focus on upgrading military infrastructure, surveillance systems and base security as Athens rolls out its planned air defense network, known as the "Achilles Shield," Greek outlet Kathimerini reported.
The minister is also reviewing troop levels at forward-deployed units and discussing reforms under the military's long-term "Agenda 2030" modernization program.
The inspections follow Greece's approval last week of an 11-project, €4.2 billion ($4.8 billion) military procurement package centered on the "Achilles Shield" air defense program.
Valued at €3.1 billion, the initiative will integrate Israel's Spyder, Barak MX and David's Sling systems into a single multilayered network designed to intercept aircraft, ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, drones and other aerial threats.
The project also includes upgrades to existing counter-drone systems already deployed on eastern Aegean islands, while expanding the country's surveillance, command-and-control and electronic warfare capabilities.
Greek officials expect the system to become operational within 35 months of signing the contract.
Separately, Dendias signed decisions establishing three new special operations reserve units as part of a broader overhaul aimed at strengthening Greece's reserve force, the report added.
Two of the units will be staffed entirely by reservists and stationed in the Athens region, central Macedonia and the Evros border area bordering Türkiye.
The Defense Ministry aims to build a force of about 150,000 combat-ready reservists through expanded training and organizational reforms.
Newly established reserve training centers are providing instruction in drone operations, counter-drone tactics, battlefield first aid and other skills based on lessons drawn from recent conflicts, Greek media noted.
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