7 – 9 October 2025 in Athens, Greece

We are proud to announce that GREEK DEFENCE NEWS is a Media Partner of the GSOF Symposium Europe, taking place from 7–9 October 2025 in Athens, Greece!

GSOF Symposium Europe is a conference and exhibition which brings international SOF stakeholders together to network, explore topical developments, and do business. The 9th iteration of GSOF Symposium Europe will be held on 7 – 9 OCT 2025 in Athens, Greece!

The event serves as a premier platform for showcasing evolving solutions, monitoring sector activities, and evaluating emerging trends in the special operations forces. It also provides opportunities to network within the global community and shape future capabilities and partnerships through technology discovery.

Greece’s Defence & Security Landscape

This summary is based on a research brief developed by FiscalNote, offering an overview of Greece’s security and defence relations, its alliance with the United States, and the role of the Hellenic Armed Forces. The full research brief can be found below.

Key Highlights:

Greece is a strategic NATO ally of the U.S., with relations strengthened by recent updates to the Mutual Defence Cooperation Agreement (MDCA) in 2019 and 2021.

The U.S.-Greece partnership centers on joint military exercises, access to critical infrastructure, and regional stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Greece’s geostrategic location supports swift U.S. deployments and aircraft carrier access, enhancing American influence in the region.

Trilateral and multilateral cooperation with countries like Cyprus, Israel, Egypt, and Jordan reinforces Greece’s regional security role.

Greece is modernizing its military through procurement and tech transfer deals with the U.S., France, and Israel, and has consolidated its special operations under a new Special Warfare Command.

Hellenic Special Forces

Hellenic Special Forces refers to the special operation units of the Hellenic Armed Forces, which include the elite Zeta Amphibious Commando Squadron (Hellenic Army), the 31st Combat Search and Rescue Squadron (Hellenic Air Force), and the Underwater Demolition Command (Hellenic Navy). These special forces are supported by a wider command structure, the 13th Special Operations Command, and are known for their rigorous, multi-phase training and specialized equipment to handle various missions from rescue to sabotage.

Army Special Forces 

Zeta Amphibious Commando Squadron (Ζ’ ΜΑΚ): Special Forces unit located in Nea Peramos.

Special Paratroopers Unit (ETA): Also located in Nea Peramos, a specialized unit focusing on airborne operations

Alpha, Gamma, Eta, Theta, and Iota Amphibious Commando Squadrons: Located on the islands of Rhodes, Chios, Lesbos, Samos, and Kos, respectively, providing regional special operations capabilities.

Air Force Special Forces

31st Combat Search and Rescue Squadron (31 ΜΕΕΔ): A Tier 1 unit responsible for combat search and rescue, airbase protection, and other high-risk support missions

Air Special Operations Unit (ΜΑΕΕ): A specialized air operations unit stationed at Pachi Airfield.

Navy Special Forces

The main unit of the Hellenic Navy’s Special Forces is the Underwater Demolition Command (MYK), which conducts naval special operations, underwater reconnaissance, mine hunting, and explosive ordnance disposal.