Top-shelf weapons with bottom-shelf treatment

A destroyed car is seen at a recycling plant, following a wildfire, in Sesklo, in central Greece, on July 26. [Alexandros Avramidis/Reuters]

As I heard the news of the explosion at the ammunition dump in Nea Anchialos last week, I confess to a serious sense of unease. It was not the usual unease about the Greek state that consistently collapses at times of crisis, about the deep state that is incapable of change and learning from its mistakes, that improvises and, as a result, messes up.

Greece is expected to receive multiple orders of extremely advanced weapons systems over the next few years: frigates, aircraft, drones and much more. You could call them the "Ferraris" of the defense industry. Such top-shelf equipment, however, also requires top-shelf infrastructure, professional handling, skilled staff with advanced knowledge and impeccable management. New-generation weapons need a new-generation system, staff and culture too.

Is Greece ready? Because if we don't have the hangars for the cutting-edge...

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