The government's long-term defence programme was the first topic raised by government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis during the press briefing on Thursday.
Marinakis noted that "the long-term defence armaments programme marks, as the prime minister underlined, the transition of the Armed Forces and the country's defence to a new era with:
1. The integration of new defence technologies.
2. The participation of the Greek defence industry in all armament programmes in the coming years.
3. The continuous support of weapons systems.
Following the approval of the armaments bill, the Special Standing Armaments Committee of Parliament is expected to meet to inform the parties about the progress of the implementation of programmes that were signed in the past and are underway. Out of the 28 billion euros of the long-term defence armaments programme, more than 11.5 billion euros already support the implementation of procurements based on the recommendations of the General Staffs.
"One of the main objectives of the programme is the added value for the Greek defence industry. Based on the plan, out of the 68 programmes, 14 can concern only Greek defence supplies companies, which are fully capable of fulfilling them."
He also referred to the favourable measures of the out-of-court debt settlement mechanism, which, as he said, extends beyond vulnerable debtors, covering even more of the middle class, which is consistently at the centre of the government's policies.
Finally, he announced that on Friday, April 4, at 11:00, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will speak at a meeting of the New Democracy Parliamentary Group, regarding the election of the Secretary of the parliamentary group.