Dendias: Greece and Israel share will to expand defence cooperation and deepen strategic ties

Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias welcomed his Israeli counterpart, Israel Katz, with whom he held a meeting on Tuesday. Dendias emphasised that defence cooperation between the two countries covers the entire spectrum, from operational interoperability and joint exercises to strategic convergence in research, innovation, defence technology and industry. As Dendias explained a few weeks ago, the two countries signed the Defence Cooperation Programme for 2026, which, he said, includes 29 actions in Greece and 25 actions in Israel."Today, we also discussed strengthening our cooperation in studying the modern methods used in 21st-century conflicts. We agreed to exchange views and expertise so that we can deal with unmanned platforms and, in particular, swarms of unmanned aerial vehicles and groups of unmanned underwater vehicles. We also agreed to work together to anticipate and be prepared to counter threats in cyberspace. One of the most important pillars of our cooperation is our defence ecosystem. Everyone knows that Israel is a very important player in the development of innovative, high-specification defence products: anti-missile systems, anti-drone systems, sensors and cyber platforms," Dendias said.He also noted that Greece studied the Israeli model and, based on it, created the Hellenic Center for Defence Innovation. "Our goal is for Greece to transform from a country that is solely a customer and purchaser of defence systems into a country that co-produces and produces innovative, relatively low-cost, dual-use products. The results are already evident, less than two years after the Hellenic Center for Defence Innovation began operating, from anti-drone systems that equip the Greek Navy to the construction of our own Greek drones."Dendias also referred to cooperation between Greece, Cyprus, Israel and the US, which he said acts as a stabilising force in the Eastern Mediterranean.The Defence Minister also said that Greece supports President Trump's initiative for Gaza and is ready to contribute to efforts to strengthen peace and stability in the region. "And, of course, from the very beginning, we condemned the terrorist attacks of October 7 and supported your right, Mr Minister, to self-defence. We also support the request for the return of the remains and the last hostage."

Dendias also informed his Israeli counterpart about the support Greece is providing to the Lebanese Armed Forces. "We discussed Syria, the future there, and the need to protect all population groups, all religious and ethnic communities. The protection of Christian populations in Syria and Lebanon is a top priority for us," he said.

For his part, Israel Katz described the alliance between Israel and Greece as significant and profound, noting that the two states share similar values and clear security interests. He stressed that the future lies in cooperation, joining forces, and a commitment to stability, security and freedom. He also said that Greece, Israel and Cyprus are determined not to allow actors seeking to destabilise the region to establish a presence through terrorism, aggression or military offshoots, in Syria, Gaza, the Aegean Sea or any other area , and realise their dangerous ambitions.The Israeli Defence Minister said that after more than two years of a complex war on seven different fronts, his country has demonstrated its strength and its ability to act decisively against any threat to the security of its citizens.