Greece Seeks Two Minehunters From Italy To Boost Navy

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Greece is discussing the possible transfer of two used Italian minehunters as Athens seeks to strengthen the Hellenic Navy amid growing geopolitical challenges in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The issue emerged during a recent bilateral meeting between Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias and his Italian counterpart, Guido Crosetto, on the sidelines of the Adriatic and Ionian Initiative (ADRION) Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Venice.

Greece seeks to strengthen minehunting capabilities

The discussions focused on the possibility of Italy transferring two second-hand minehunters to Greece.

If completed, the move would provide the Hellenic Navy with an immediate and cost-effective way to strengthen its mine warfare capabilities, an area where the fleet faces growing operational needs.

The Greek Navy currently has only two operational minehunters, the Europa and Euniki, highlighting the need for additional vessels.

Minehunters play an important role in modern naval operations. Their mission extends beyond locating and neutralising sea mines to protecting maritime communication routes, commercial ports and critical infrastructure.

In the Aegean and wider Mediterranean, maintaining freedom of navigation remains an important element of maritime security and economic stability.

Adding two proven vessels from the Italian Navy would help Greece maintain its operational readiness while bridging the gap until longer-term, next-generation defence programmes become operational.

Greece and Italy deepen defence cooperation

The discussions over the minehunters also highlight the close defence relationship between Greece and Italy.

Both countries are NATO and European Union members and share security concerns in the Mediterranean, while cooperating closely at both bilateral and multilateral levels.

The ADRION initiative provides a framework for this cooperation, promoting maritime security and greater interoperability among the region’s naval forces.

Closer defence ties with Rome also strengthen Greece’s role in regional security cooperation.

The potential transfer of the Italian vessels would give the Hellenic Navy an immediate way to expand its minehunting capabilities while building on its defence relationship with a neighbouring allied country.

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