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The Defense Ministry is set to save approximately \u20ac30 million annually by eliminating 600 senior officers classified as \u201cOutside Organizational Positions\u201d (EOTH), officials confirmed Friday.<\/p>\n
The move, directed by Defense Minister Nikos Dendias, aims to correct inefficiencies in the armed forces and streamline operations.<\/p>\n
The reform targets a 2017 policy that allowed officers with over 35 years of service to remain in the military without active duties. This practice not only inflated payroll costs but also created career stagnation for younger officers. Between 2020 and 2025, salaries for EOTH officers exceeded \u20ac157 million.<\/p>\n
The affected officers, who have full pension rights, will retire immediately.<\/p>\n
This follows a broader restructuring effort launched in January, which reduced the number of colonels \u2013previously three times the required positions \u2013 as part of the military\u2019s modernization under the Agenda 2030 initiative.<\/p>\n
In addition to personnel reductions, the military will close or merge underutilized bases, ensuring resources are allocated based on strategic defense needs rather than regional economic interests.<\/p>\n
The ministry aims to create a more agile and efficient force, aligned with contemporary security challenges.<\/p>\n
Dendias outlined six key priorities for the armed forces: reducing the number of high-ranking officers, consolidating military bases, adapting forces to new operational needs, creating new operational structures \u2013 such as joint air defense support and the integration of unmanned aerial vehicles and other autonomous systems into all three branches of the armed forces \u2013 improving salaries and career development for military personnel, and promoting a modernized conscription and reserve model, including voluntary enlistment for women.<\/p>\n
Officials say these changes will enhance Greece\u2019s military readiness, ensuring the armed forces are structured efficiently and aligned with NATO standards.<\/p>\n
The elimination of EOTH officers marks a significant step in Greece\u2019s ongoing defense reforms.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n