Greece and the United States are in discussions to revise their Mutual Defence Cooperation Agreement (MDCA), with talks focusing on expanding US military operations and basing rights in Greece.
While the US maintains a presence at Souda Bay on Crete, it has resisted Greece’s long-standing push for bases on other Aegean islands.
Athens continues to promote the island of Skyros as a strategic location. A new US congressional bill, introduced by four representatives, three of them Greek American, also supports establishing US forces on Aegean islands.
The destruction of the Greek base hosting the 1st Army Air Forces Brigade during a severe storm in September 2023 has added urgency to the talks.
With helicopter repair facilities damaged, Greece is proposing to expand the 110th Air Wing in Larissa and offer new locations, including the Petrochori firing range and the Dalipis Army Base near Thessaloniki.
The US will maintain its presence at Alexandroupoli, a key logistical hub for Eastern Europe and Ukraine. It is also set to invest $42 million in upgrades at Souda Bay and the nearby 115th Air Wing, including new repair infrastructure for Special Forces craft.
Greece is expected to be spared from broader US defence spending cuts in Europe due to the strategic importance of its facilities, particularly in recent Middle East and Iran operations.
Source: Ekathimerini.
