Greece Defence and Security Report Q1 2013

BMI's Greece Defence & Security Report for Q113 examines the country's strategic situation, its defenceposture and defence procurement activities.

The report discusses Greece's strategic situation, including its fractious relationship with Turkey; itsrelations with the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and other European nations; and its global relationsand its participation in military operations around the world. In terms of procurement, the report examinesGreece's current defence programmes, planned acquisitions and future procurement aspirations in light ofthe country's economic crisis.

One of BMI's conclusions from this report concerns Greece's defence budget. While the country hasroutinely maintained defence spending in excess of NATO's 2% of GDP guideline figure, Athens's abilityto maintain such spending levels in the future now seem highly unlikely given Greece's current economicwoes. In addition, the report examines the transition of the Greek armed forces from their erstwhileNATO posture which was focused on the protection of the southern European flank towards a lighter,more deployable configuration. BMI believes that the Hellenic Air Force is one of the most proficient inEurope as a result of its experience in countering Turkish air power in the decades following the latter'sinvasion of Cyprus. Nevertheless, all three branches of Greece's armed services are falling under thegovernment's austerity measures, with plans afoot to close army, air force and naval bases. Greece'sfinances are also having an adverse effect on the country's ability to support military operations aroundthe world, and the sustainment of its defence industry which historically has been highly reliant on thedomestic market.

BMI has added the following discussions to the Greece Defence & Security Report. These include:

Detailed orders of battle for the Hellenic Army, Air Force and Navy.Greece has experienced no major defence procurement activity, nor any major reorganisation of itsdefence posture over the last quarter primarily because of the country's acute economic situation. As such,BMI has made no major changes to this edition of the Greece Defence & Security Report.