Greece Abolishes Navy and Air Force Conscription in Landmark Military Reform

In a move that marks a historic transformation of Greece’s national service model, Defense Minister Nikos Dendias announced that mandatory military conscription will be abolished in the Hellenic Navy and Air Force beginning January 1st, 2026. From that point forward, all conscripts will be assigned exclusively to the Hellenic Army, as the country implements the second phase of its ambitious “Agenda 2030” defense modernization plan.

“We’re moving toward a professionalized Navy and Air Force, while the Army will serve as the primary field for national service, now more tactical and productive than ever,” Dendias stated during a press conference at the Ministry of National Defense in Athens.

One Army, One Mission: A New Era for Conscription

The long-anticipated reform, first proposed in 2020, seeks to streamline personnel distribution across the armed forces and focus conscription efforts where operational demand is greatest—on land.

Navy and Air Force units will now rely exclusively on professional soldiers, allowing for enhanced specialization and interoperability within NATO missions. Meanwhile, conscripts will receive intensified combat training within the Army, inspired by Finland’s conscription model, with a sharp focus on:

• Modern weapons handling
• Advanced field tactics
• Live-fire exercises
• Basic cyber-defense awareness

“Conscription with Opportunity”: Skills and Certification

In a novel twist, the Ministry introduces the “Opportunity Service” (Θητεία-Ευκαιρίας) program, a dual-track system that allows conscripts to gain practical skills and professional certifications during their service.

Whether in mechanics, IT, logistics, or civil protection, the program aims to make military service a career stepping stone, not a bureaucratic obligation.

“We want the 12 months in uniform to mean something for their CV,” a senior defense official explained.

Female Volunteers and Unit Mergers Ahead

Also under consideration: voluntary enlistment for women, offering them the opportunity to join military units under the same training standards as men.

Simultaneously, the ministry is accelerating unit consolidation, with 21 units already merged in mainland Greece and the Eastern Aegean. The objective? Full staffing of front-line combat units with a leaner, more deployable force structure.

 Pay Raise for Conscripts: From Symbolic to Supportive

In a long-overdue move, the government will also increase the monthly stipend for conscripts from the current €8.70 to:

• €50/month for those stationed in urban or mainland areas
• €100/month for those serving in border regions and remote posts

While still symbolic, the increase acknowledges the cost-of-living burden on young soldiers and their families.

Source: pagenews.gr