Hellenism

Athens, November 13, 2025 – In a momentous event underscoring Greece's unwavering commitment to bolstering its national defense against modern challenges, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis today attended the official delivery ceremony of three state-of-the-art Diamond DA62 MPP (Multi-Purpose Platform) aircraft to the Hellenic Fire Service. The event, organized by the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, signifies, as the Prime Minister himself emphasized, a qualitative leap in the country's crisis response capabilities and overall Civil Protection strategy.

Prime Minister Mitsotakis, visibly enthusiastic and proud of this significant advancement, highlighted the strategic importance of integrating these new aerial assets into the Hellenic Fire Service fleet. "I am profoundly impressed by the operational capabilities of these new aircraft," the Prime Minister stated, elaborating on the vision behind this crucial investment. "They represent not merely a qualitative change, but a qualitative leap compared to the capabilities of the previous aerial assets at our disposal. This leap translates into greater effectiveness, faster response times, and ultimately, enhanced safety for our citizens and our environment."

The three new Diamond DA62 MPPs, manufactured by the Austrian company Diamond Aircraft, are specifically designed to function as fully equipped aerial operations centers. Their advanced technology makes them ideal for a wide range of critical missions.

In the crucial domain of orest firefighting, the DA62 MPPs will provide unparalleled reconnaissance and monitoring capabilities. Equipped with thermal cameras, high-resolution sensors, and real-time data transmission systems, they can instantaneously detect new fire outbreaks, assess their trajectory, and accurately direct ground and aerial forces. This continuous stream of critical information is paramount for strategic decision-making and for minimizing the rapid spread of wildfires, which have become an increasing threat due to climate change.

Furthermore, in broader disaster response scenarios, such as floods or earthquakes, these versatile aircraft can provide detailed ground intelligence, map affected areas, locate trapped citizens, and coordinate search and rescue operations with enhanced precision. Their surveillance capabilities extend to other vital areas, including monitoring illegal activities, safeguarding maritime borders, or environmental oversight, underscoring the multidimensional nature of this investment. Their ability to fly at low altitudes and their extended endurance make them perfectly suited for prolonged missions, effectively complementing and significantly strengthening existing resources.

Beyond the immediate reinforcement of the fleet with the Diamond DA62 MPPs, Mr. Mitsotakis extensively discussed the most emblematic and strategically significant project currently underway: the drastic renewal of Greece's aerial firefighting aircraft fleet**. This ambitious plan encompasses both the crucial upgrade of existing assets and, more importantly, the pivotal acquisition of seven (7) new, state-of-the-art Canadair 515s.

With particular emphasis, the Prime Minister announced that the first production model of the Canadair 515 which will proudly bear the designation "Greece 1," will be the first 515 to be manufactured globally. This declaration sends a powerful message of Greek commitment and highlights the country's leading role in the global effort to enhance aerial firefighting capabilities. The Canadair 515s represent the next generation of amphibious firefighting aircraft, offering significantly increased water capacity, improved speed, greater autonomy, modern navigation systems, and reduced operational costs compared to older models. Their integration into the national fleet will drastically boost Greece's ability to respond to large-scale fires, both domestically within its borders and, if necessary, as part of vital international cooperation frameworks.

In an era where the climate crisis intensifies the challenges for the environment and society, making extreme weather events, devastating fires, and destructive floods increasingly frequent and catastrophic, this substantial investment in Civil Protection stands as a paramount national priority for the government. The strategic objective is the effective protection of human lives, citizens' property, and the invaluable natural wealth of the country.

 

Today, therefore, marks a new epoch for Greek Civil Protection. With the enhancement of its aerial fleet through the latest technology Diamond DA62 MPPs and the implementation of the ambitious plan for the Canadair 515s, Greece is fortifying itself against the challenges of the future, ensuring greater readiness and security for all its citizens. This represents a comprehensive approach that includes robust prevention, early detection, immediate and effective response, and meticulous coordination of forces, all aimed at enhancing the nation's resilience against any crisis.

 

Also present at the event were the Minister for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Mr. Vassilis Kikilias, senior officials of the Hellenic Fire Service, representatives of the organizations that contributed to the realization of this project, as well as international observers who acknowledge the Greek initiative as a commendable role model for other nations.