Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias attends Inauguration of Maritime Simulator at Hellenic Naval Academy

Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias attends Inauguration of Maritime Simulator at Hellenic Naval Academy

December 16, 2025

The Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias, visited today, Tuesday 16 December 2025, the Hellenic Naval Academy, where he attended the inauguration of the Maritime Simulator, which is a donation of the "Athina I. Martinou Non-profit Foundation".

During the ceremony, the President of the Foundation Ioanna Martinouwas awarded the rank of honorary Commodore of the Hellenic Navy.

Mr. Dendias pointed out in his address the following:

"Our dear Ioanna,

The presence of us all here today is a particular joy and a great honour.

This is the bulwark of our maritime tradition, the bulwark of our Fleet's might.

It is this very location which creates the characters and capabilities of the Officers commanding our Fleet. Those who will bear on their shoulders the great responsibility of maintaining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Country.

It is with great joy that we inaugurate a modern simulation system, which will allow our personnel to gain the requisite experience in controlled and escalating scenarios. We are in a new era. Instruments are required for this new era.

Our Military Academies have lately been upgraded following the ten year crisis which left them materially and technically wanting. Their modernisation is one of the necessary components of the "2030 Agenda".

Nonetheless, I have to state that a great part of the necessary works is carried out through private funding, not the Greek taxpayer's money. It is carried out by people and foundations who understand the Country's broader tradition of Benefactors, and the great geopolitical circumstance, which requires us to stand at a hitherto unknown level of power, yet also absolutely necessary for our survival.

Today's donation is a follow-up of a previous one, by the same foundation, which is the renovation of the Hellenic Navy General Staff Officer's Club.

Thus, a clear message is sent out to many addressees. On principle, to the Naval Cadets themselves, since the very space where they are trained is being evaluated, as an absolutely necessary space for the Country's future. To the Armed Forces, the Family of the Armed Forces in general, since they receive the message that society is at their side, nearby, with meaningful actions. But also, to Greek society, since thus is created the great tradition of contributing by example. The need, that is, to explain to broader society, that beyond country and State, each and every one of us has an individual responsibility and obligation to contribute to the effort our country is making.

The remark Ms Martinou made, concerning the geopolitical circumstances, made a deep impression on me. It moves beyond a donor's particular motives, and illustrates an understanding of the broader geopolitical environment which we are faced with.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would entreat you, if you have the time, to read the nearly 30-page text of the newly declared National Security Strategy of the United States of America. Through the pages of this text you will, I think, clearly understand the circumstances we are facing, and how this text treats those countries with no capability of projecting force.

Ms. Martinou,

On behalf of the State, on behalf of the Ministry of National Defence, on behalf of the Armed Forces, on behalf of the Hellenic Navy, on my behalf, I would like to express our cordial gratitude and love, since it is not simply a donation, it is the manner in which you and your partner and family treat the Hellenic Navy, the Armed Forces and their needs.

You will also allow me to tell you that, since the Presidential Decree whereby you are awarded your rank has already been signed, which makes me particularly happy since it also bears my own signature, I am now able to address you as "Commodore".

Thank you, may you be in good health!"

Following the inauguration ceremony, the Minister of National Defence was offered a tour at the Maritime Simulator grounds. The new Maritime Simulator, named NAUTIS-3, gives not only Naval Cadets, but Officers as well, the opportunity to train in realistic conditions, in various objects, at zero cost, in order to periodically refresh their naval abilities.

The ceremony was also attended by the Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Giannis Kefalogiannis, the Deputy Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy Stefanos Gkikas, MP Giannis Pappas, MP, Honorary Chief/HNDGS, and Admiral (ret.) Evangelos Apostolakis, the Chief/HNDGS General Dimitrios Choupis, the Chief/HAGS Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis, the Chief/HNGS Vice Admiral Dimitrios - Eleftherios KatarasHN, the Chief/HAFGS Lieutenant General Dimosthenis Grigoriadis, the Chief/Hellenic Coast Guard Vice Admiral CG Tryphon Kontizas, the Chief of the Hellenic Fleet Vice Admiral Christos SasiakosHN, the Hellenic Naval Academy Commandant, Rear Admiral Stavros KarlatirasHN, Honorary Chiefs, General officers, as well as Ioanna Martinou's family members, and the Supervisory Committee of the "Athina I. Martinou Foundation", the honorary Rear Admiral Panos Laskaridis, ship-owner and President of the Board of Union of Greek Ship-owners, the ship-owner and President of the Association of Greek Frogmen Vasilis Pateras,and other guests.