Official announcement:
The Minister of National Defense, Nikos Dendias, paid a visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) today, Monday, February 17, 2025.
The Minister of National Defense, accompanied by the Chief of the General Staff, Vice Admiral Demetrios-Eleftherios Katara, visited the International Defense Equipment Exhibition ” IDEX & NAVDEX 2025″ in Abu Dhabi, in which Greece is participating with a national pavilion.
Mr. Dendias inaugurated the Greek Pavilion and met with representatives of the Association of Greek Aerospace Defense & Security Companies ( HASDIG ), as well as with representatives of defense companies and defense technology companies.
The Minister of National Defense stated in his greeting:
“It is my great pleasure today to welcome you here at the Greek Pavilion of IDEX 2025 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. A country friendly to Greece. A country that I would like to remind you of, we are connected by many things, but also by a Defense Agreement, which I had the great honor on behalf of the Government to sign together with my friend, Sheikh Abdullah [ Abdullah B in Zayed Al Nahyan ] , in 2020.
IDEX is an important – one of the most important – global Exhibition. I think it is a great success that we are here, that we are here. I would like to congratulate Enterprise Greece for its effort, but also the Association of Greek Aerospace Defense & Security Companies.
It is very pleasant, even as an observer when walking through the corridors of an Exhibition, to see Greek businesses being able to present the products of Greek innovation.
I would like to tell you that – I think it is obvious – as our country moves into a new era, we are highlighting the potential that Greek minds have to produce innovative products. And to lead the Greek defense ecosystem into a new era.
In a few days, we will have the opportunity in Athens to present, from the perspective of the Ministry of National Defense, the new armament program, so that the Greek people can see what the planning is that is being done on the basis of its own shortcomings, so that our country can enjoy the greatest good of security and national dignity.
But again, being here in Abu Dhabi, I would like to say that I feel proud of what Greek companies, Greek minds and Greek hands can and do show to foreign visitors.
Warm congratulations.”
Afterwards, the Minister visited the Frigate “HYDRA” of the Greek Navy, which is participating in the European Operation ASPIDES ( EUNAVFOR ASPIDES ), in a port in the region.
Present at the inauguration were the Director General of Defense Armaments and Investments (DGDAEE), Major General Ioannis Bouras, as well as the Ambassador of Greece to Abu Dhabi, Antonis Alexandrides .
Mr. Dendias was briefed by the Commander of the Frigate “HYDRA”, Lieutenant Commander I. Mantzouris RN, regarding its mission and spoke with its officers and crew. Subsequently, addressing the crew of the Frigate “PSARA”, he noted:
“Mr. Chief of General Staff, Mr. Governor, crew members,
It is my great pleasure and honor to meet you here today, in the United Arab Emirates, in Abu Dhabi. You are part of the “ASPIDES” operation, an operation in which Greece has played a leading role from the beginning, as its Greek name indicates.
“SHIELDS” are important to us, important to each and every Greek, because they defend goods that concern the interests of the Homeland and the Greek citizen.
First of all, freedom of navigation. We are a maritime people, a maritime country. I think everyone understands what it means to be able to block sea access to our homeland for any reason. The Red Sea and the Suez is one of them. 12% of world trade passes through Suez.
The second is much more tangible and measurable. It concerns the price of goods on the shelves of Greek stores, Greek supermarkets. The cost of transportation around Africa ultimately ends up as a cost to the Greek citizen. In any case, Greece is a great naval power and must have a say in issues related to the Law of the Sea.
I want to tell you, as I have told the crews of all the ships that have participated in “Shields” to date, that I know that you are operating in a danger zone. I know very well that the Homeland, in order to carry out your constitutional duty, has sent you to an area where security is not a given.
I want you to know that the wishes of every Greek citizen are with you, as well as that it is a source of pride for Greece to see and feel our flag in distant seas that are nevertheless important to the country.
There is another great success of yours. I am referring to “Centaur”, the first anti- drone system of Greek design and production that proved its worth in the Red Sea and will now equip all units, all frigates of our Navy, in order to defend our Homeland against any threat.
Mr. Governor,
I want to congratulate you for the way you are carrying out your mission and I want to congratulate each and every one of the crew of the “HYDRA” through you. I look forward to welcoming you to the Homeland shortly before Easter.
Thank you very much”.
As part of his visit to the United Arab Emirates, the Minister of National Defense met in Abu Dhabi with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the UAE, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.