ATHENS

Greece plans to build a 150,000-strong active reservist force by 2030, as part of a sweeping modernization effort to strengthen its national defense, local media reported Saturday. 

The initiative, part of the government’s Agenda 2030 strategy for the armed forces, was presented by Defense Minister Nikos Dendias at the Hellenic Military Academy in Athens, according to the daily Kathimerini. 

The effort seeks to address inefficiencies in the current reservist system and includes modernized retraining programs that will incorporate drones, simulators, and digital platforms, the report said.

Defense officials emphasized that training methods will be modeled on best practices from Israel and Finland, aiming to enhance combat readiness and ensure a more effective national defense posture.