After Red Sea mission, Greece seeks key role in EU defence - minister

4/3/2024 18:14

        Greece, 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 security of the 27-nation bloc, the defence 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 defence 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.