The Greek government is moving forward with a comprehensive upgrade of the Coast Guard, as Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Vasilis Kikilias, announced the recruitment of 420 new personnel and the acquisition of state-of-the-art operational assets. In an interview with "Vradyni," the Minister outlined an extensive modernization program ranging from high-seas vessels to unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) and drones.
Technological Superiority and New Assets
The equipment program includes tenders for:
- High-seas vessels and pursuit boats.
- Unmanned surface and underwater vehicles.
- Thermal cameras and advanced surveillance systems.
- The creation of an ultra-modern operations center utilizing new technologies.
Special emphasis was placed on Crete, which has been reinforced with four Frontex aerial assets and two long-range drones capable of monitoring almost the entire Libyan Sea, significantly reducing incident response times.
Decrease in Migration Flows
According to Mr. Kikilias, the government strategy is yielding measurable results, with an overall 34% reduction in migration flows recorded this year. The decrease from Turkey reached 61%, while flows from Libya dropped by 4%. The Minister attributed these results to intensive surveillance and cooperation with Libyan authorities to strike human trafficking networks at their source.
Economy and the TIF Context
Addressing the issue of inflation and the upcoming Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF), Kikilias emphasized that the priority remains supporting disposable income and reducing tax burdens, while maintaining fiscal responsibility. He highlighted that revenues from shipping and tourism are driving growth, providing well-paid jobs for the younger generation.
