News
Latest News
news bulletin
Breaking Headlines
Israel-Gaza War Updates
Variety and Tech
Sports News
Middle East News
World News
Lebanon News
Press Highlights
Lebanon Economy
News Bulletin Reports
Other News
Breaking Headlines
Israel-Gaza War Updates
Variety and Tech
Sports News
Middle East News
World News
Lebanon News
Press Highlights
Lebanon Economy
News Bulletin Reports
Beirut
26
o
Bekaa
32
o
Keserwan
26
o
Metn
26
o
Mount Lebanon
27
o
North
27
o
South
26
o
Live
Video
Audio
Schedule
shows
العربية
watching now
The Stage
SUBSCRIBE
Home
Notification
Live
Video
Audio
shows
Beirut
26
o
Bekaa
32
o
Keserwan
26
o
Metn
26
o
Mount Lebanon
27
o
North
27
o
South
26
o
News
Programs
The News
Breaking Headlines
Israel-Gaza War Updates
Variety and Tech
Sports News
Middle East News
World News
Lebanon News
Press Highlights
Lebanon Economy
News Bulletin Reports
Programs
Documentaries
Lebanon’s Centennial
News Bulletin
The Untold History
Talk Show
Series
Sports
Variety
Other
Comedy
Oldies
Breaking News
Latest News
Highlighted News
Most Read
Videos
العربية
Watch the latest programs and the latest developments on your favorite screen
Shows
Join millions of followers
Who We Are
Contact Us
Advertise With Us
Careers
Channel frequencies
Privacy Policy
Terms and Conditions
Greece seeks key role in EU defense
World News
2024-03-04 | 04:09
High views
Share
Share
4
min
Greece seeks key role in EU defense
Greece, the host of the headquarters of the EU operation to shield ships from Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, hopes to play a more central role in ensuring the security of the 27-nation bloc, the defense minister said.
"We have to be able to defend ourselves," Nikos Dendias told Reuters, adding that the European Union could achieve that in cooperation with NATO and other allies.
"What we're trying to do is have a home-grown defense industry in Greece and Europe which could service the needs of the European Union."
The EU's Red Sea naval mission, dubbed "Aspides," which in Greek means "Shields," was launched last month to guard vessels from attack by Iranian-aligned Houthi militants in support of Palestinian militant group Hamas in its war with Israel.
At the crossroads between Asia, Africa, and Europe, Greece controls the largest merchant fleet in the world, and attacks against its vessels have increased. Greece's largest port, Piraeus, has seen trade drop 40%.
The Greek frigate Hydra sailed last week for the Red Sea as the country assumed command of the EU mission whose headquarters will be in the city of Larissa. Italy commands the naval force.
"It's important that we succeed," Dendias said. "You cannot be a crossroads if roads do not exist or do not function. So for us (Greece), this is a huge threat directly and indirectly."
Both Greece and the European Union are alarmed by the "sophisticated approach" of the Houthis, he said, with sea mines and submarine weapons used in attacks.
The safety of the five Aspides warships and crew, also from Germany, Italy, Belgium, and France, was also a concern, he said, urging close coordination with other fleets in the area, which include warships from the United States and India.
"Having a very close communication and as much a common approach as possible with other fleets ... is something advisable and important," he said.
Following Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the European Union wants to increase its defense role as a bloc rather than as a collection of 27 nations where military policy is drafted at a national level.
Greece, also a NATO member, wants to reform its army along the example of Finland. It also aims to revamp its defense industry and boost its shipyards' business as it recovers from a decade-long debt crisis that forced it to slash spending.
It has drafted a multi-billion, 10-year purchasing plan that includes acquiring up to 40 new F-35 fighter jets from the US, three frigates from France, and US-made Black Hawk helicopters.
It wants to produce drone and anti-drone systems and is in talks with the United States to co-design and build Constellation-class frigates for the Greek Navy. Foreign frigates could be serviced in Greek shipyards, Dendias said.
"This presents a huge challenge," he said. "We're a proud maritime nation but it's the first time in our history that we may be able to co-design a platform as important as the Constellation."
Reuters
World News
Greece
European Union
Defense
Red Sea
Naval
Mission
Next
Russia summons the German ambassador over the leakage of a recording from the German army
China hopes for improved relations with US "regardless of the identity" of the next president
Previous
Related Articles
d-none hideMe
0
Middle East News
2024-02-26
Greece joins EU naval mission in Red Sea against Houthi threats
Middle East News
2024-02-26
Greece joins EU naval mission in Red Sea against Houthi threats
0
World News
2024-04-16
Commander: EU's Red Sea naval mission not affected by Iran attack on Israel
World News
2024-04-16
Commander: EU's Red Sea naval mission not affected by Iran attack on Israel
0
News Bulletin Reports
2024-02-22
Europe's 'Aspides' mission: A response to Houthis' naval operations in the Red Sea
News Bulletin Reports
2024-02-22
Europe's 'Aspides' mission: A response to Houthis' naval operations in the Red Sea
0
Lebanon News
2024-05-08
Israeli Defense Minister says the mission is 'not yet complete' in the North
Lebanon News
2024-05-08
Israeli Defense Minister says the mission is 'not yet complete' in the North
Recommended For You
d-none hideMe
0
World News
06:59
Congolese Army Spokesperson: Thwarting 'coup attempt' in Kinshasa
World News
06:59
Congolese Army Spokesperson: Thwarting 'coup attempt' in Kinshasa
0
World News
06:48
Britain: Violence in Darfur, Sudan, constitutes crimes against humanity
World News
06:48
Britain: Violence in Darfur, Sudan, constitutes crimes against humanity
0
World News
06:27
British Defense Minister: Strength of relations between China and Russia threatens democracy
World News
06:27
British Defense Minister: Strength of relations between China and Russia threatens democracy
0
World News
05:36
Slovak PM overcomes critical stage after assassination attempt
World News
05:36
Slovak PM overcomes critical stage after assassination attempt
Subscribe to our VOD
SUBSCRIBE
Our visitors readings
d-none hideMe
0
World News
2024-04-27
India set to sign deal with Oman to expand Middle East ties: Reuters
World News
2024-04-27
India set to sign deal with Oman to expand Middle East ties: Reuters
0
Middle East News
2024-05-17
Iran has arrested three Europeans in a 'satanic' gathering along with 260 others
Middle East News
2024-05-17
Iran has arrested three Europeans in a 'satanic' gathering along with 260 others
0
Israel-Gaza War Updates
2024-05-10
UN General Assembly backs Palestinian bid for membership
Israel-Gaza War Updates
2024-05-10
UN General Assembly backs Palestinian bid for membership
0
Lebanon News
2024-03-27
Seven volunteers martyred in Israeli attack on medical center in Habbariyeh
Lebanon News
2024-03-27
Seven volunteers martyred in Israeli attack on medical center in Habbariyeh
Videos
d-none hideMe
0
Lebanon News
2024-05-14
Exclusive LBCI interview: Canadian FM urges ceasefire and Resolution 1701 adherence in Lebanon talks, discusses Canadian support for LAF, UNIFIL
Lebanon News
2024-05-14
Exclusive LBCI interview: Canadian FM urges ceasefire and Resolution 1701 adherence in Lebanon talks, discusses Canadian support for LAF, UNIFIL
0
Lebanon News
2024-04-30
University Students Organize Solidarity Protest for Palestine (VIDEO)
Lebanon News
2024-04-30
University Students Organize Solidarity Protest for Palestine (VIDEO)
0
Lebanon News
2023-12-11
Breaking: Israel launches raid north of Litani on Monday (Video)
Lebanon News
2023-12-11
Breaking: Israel launches raid north of Litani on Monday (Video)
0
Lebanon News
2023-11-02
Exclusive to LBCI: U.S. State Department's Wooster Stresses Lebanon Must Avoid War, Sees Renewed Push for Two-State Solution
Lebanon News
2023-11-02
Exclusive to LBCI: U.S. State Department's Wooster Stresses Lebanon Must Avoid War, Sees Renewed Push for Two-State Solution
0
Lebanon News
2023-10-18
Protests Erupt near US Embassy in Awkar Against Israeli Attacks on Al-Maamadani Hospital in Gaza
Lebanon News
2023-10-18
Protests Erupt near US Embassy in Awkar Against Israeli Attacks on Al-Maamadani Hospital in Gaza
0
Lebanon News
2023-10-05
ATFL's Ambassador Edward Gabriel on Navigating Through Economic, Political, and Refugee Crises
Lebanon News
2023-10-05
ATFL's Ambassador Edward Gabriel on Navigating Through Economic, Political, and Refugee Crises
0
Sports News
2023-08-31
Amir Saoud Powers Lebanon to Victory Over Cote d'Ivoire: A Deep Dive Into The Numbers
Sports News
2023-08-31
Amir Saoud Powers Lebanon to Victory Over Cote d'Ivoire: A Deep Dive Into The Numbers
0
Sports News
2023-08-29
France Edges Past Lebanon in a Nail-Biter at FIBA World Cup 2023: A Statistical Deep Dive
Sports News
2023-08-29
France Edges Past Lebanon in a Nail-Biter at FIBA World Cup 2023: A Statistical Deep Dive
0
Lebanon News
2019-02-28
Pierre el-Daher, the man who defeated the Lebanese Forces
Lebanon News
2019-02-28
Pierre el-Daher, the man who defeated the Lebanese Forces
Most read
d-none hideMe
24 hours
7 days
Month
1
News Bulletin Reports
12:35
New aerial strategy: Hezbollah introduces advanced drone tactics against Israeli targets
News Bulletin Reports
12:35
New aerial strategy: Hezbollah introduces advanced drone tactics against Israeli targets
2
News Bulletin Reports
12:30
Blinken's plan revealed: Internal disputes grow within Israeli government over proposed Gaza ceasefire plan
News Bulletin Reports
12:30
Blinken's plan revealed: Internal disputes grow within Israeli government over proposed Gaza ceasefire plan
3
News Bulletin Reports
12:25
Renewed battle in northern Gaza: Can Israel truly eliminate Hamas?
News Bulletin Reports
12:25
Renewed battle in northern Gaza: Can Israel truly eliminate Hamas?
4
Lebanon News
01:26
Ireland's Tánaiste Micheál Martin to demand accountability for Private Sean Rooney's death in Lebanon meetings
Lebanon News
01:26
Ireland's Tánaiste Micheál Martin to demand accountability for Private Sean Rooney's death in Lebanon meetings
5
Lebanon News
05:06
Chehayeb to LBCI: Lebanon is "in the waiting room," any president would be better for the current situation
Lebanon News
05:06
Chehayeb to LBCI: Lebanon is "in the waiting room," any president would be better for the current situation
6
Israel-Gaza War Updates
02:44
Gaza hospital announces 20 killed in an Israeli strike on Nuseirat Camp
Israel-Gaza War Updates
02:44
Gaza hospital announces 20 killed in an Israeli strike on Nuseirat Camp
7
Israel-Gaza War Updates
06:38
Jordan calls for an international investigation into 'numerous war crimes' committed in Gaza
Israel-Gaza War Updates
06:38
Jordan calls for an international investigation into 'numerous war crimes' committed in Gaza
8
Israel-Gaza War Updates
00:52
Gantz urges Gaza day-after plan by June 8, threatens to quit Netanyahu's cabinet
Israel-Gaza War Updates
00:52
Gantz urges Gaza day-after plan by June 8, threatens to quit Netanyahu's cabinet
Download now the LBCI mobile app
To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world
Google Play
App Store
We use
cookies
We use
cookies
to make
your experience on this
website better.
Accept
Learn More