Dendias: Greece has acquired updated transport fleet, supporting defense missions and human lives
Greece has begun long ago an effort to renew its military transport aircraft, and the result is visible at the Elefsina airport, National Defense Minister Nikos Dendias said at the home base of 112 Combat Wing on Wednesday.
Greece has begun long ago an effort to renew its military transport aircraft, and the result is visible at the Elefsina airport, National Defense Minister Nikos Dendias said at the home base of 112 Combat Wing on Wednesday.
Dendias was attending an event on the Hellenic Air Force's social contribution, held in the context of the name day of Air Force patron saint Archangel Michael.
"I remember the days, not long ago, where we had one or no C-130s, and one or no C-27 available. Today we saw 10 transport aircraft, 5 plus 5, in the Elefsina runway," Dendias explained. Another two airplanes are under scheduled maintenance, bringing the total to 12, he added.
The number of Super Pumas has also risen to seven in total, with two of then in scheduled maintenance. "We can now support the presence of Greece's Armed Forces beyond the borders as well, wherever our interests call us, wherever the principles and values of Greece and humanitarianism call us," the defense minister said. The 12-year-long armaments program also foresees new transport airplanes, to expand that capability, he added.
This Combat Wing in particular exhibits the capability of supporting society around the clock, Dendias said. From the start of the year (2025) to the present, 1,164 firefighting missions were carried out (totaling over 2,637 hours), and 1,372 transferring 2,148 patients and 33 organ donations took place (totaling over 4,000 hours).
In addition, the program to purchase new firefighting airplanes - 515s and the technical upgrade of 415s - was proceeding through the 'Aegis' program. When the 'Agenda 2030' defense upgrade program is completed, the minister said, "Greece will have 200 upgraded fighting platforms, of a much higher power than it had so far. It will include new anti-aircraft, anti-missile weapons and, for the first time, drones."
Dendias thanked the flying and ground staff and toured the transport C-130s and C-27Js, and the Super Puma helicopters lined up on the landing/takeoff corridor of the 112 Combat Wing, known as 'Elephant Walk'.
The event was attended by Parliament representatives, deputy ministers, deputies, security forces representatives, and local government officials, among others.
