A significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ministry of Defense (MoD) and the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (IAPR, AADE) of Greece.
On Holy Tuesday, April 15, 2025, Minister of Defense Nikos Dendias and IAPR Governor Giorgos Pitsilis formalized the agreement, aiming to strengthen cooperation on oversight mechanisms and exchange of expertise, particularly concerning Greece’s armament programs.
The MoU outlines collaboration between the Internal Affairs Service of the MoD and the Internal Affairs Directorate of the IAPR (AADE). The key goals are the exchange of technical know-how, the provision of training, and the enhancement of auditing procedures.
This initiative is a cornerstone of the broader effort to improve asset declaration audits, combat corruption, and protect public financial interests—especially in light of the ambitious new defense procurement plan under the Long-Term Armament Program for 2025-2036 (LTAP 2025-2036).
Defense Minister Nikos Dendias highlighted the importance of this partnership, noting that it marks the first time Greece is engaging in a 20-year strategic planning process for defense procurement. “The hard-earned money of the Greek taxpayer will be invested in systems that will safeguard our homeland for the next 12+8 years—meaning 20 years in total”, Dendias stated, underlining the necessity of transparency and contract oversight throughout the process.
To this end, new legislation grants the MoD’s Internal Affairs Service expanded auditing powers over both the signing and implementation phases of defense contracts. These efforts will be bolstered by the IAPR’s extensive expertise and support.
IAPR Governor Giorgos Pitsilis emphasized the Authority’s commitment to internal audit mechanisms and its rich experience in managing financial data. He described the cooperation as a “mutual learning opportunity” and expressed appreciation for the trust shown by the Ministry of National Defense.
The signing ceremony took place at the Ministry of National Defense, attended by Deputy Minister of National Defense Thanasis Davakis, Chief of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff General Dimitrios Choupis, and senior officials from both institutions.