The recent decision of the International Arbitral Tribunal (ICC), awarding the Greek state more than €150 million, is undoubtedly a national success. However, as with every such case, a favorable court outcome is not an isolated event; it is the result of political, operational, and legal handling that came beforehand—timely and methodical—and laid the groundwork for today’s vindication.
In 2014, when I assumed the Ministry of National Defense for the second time under Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, I was confronted with a long-standing case: the program to build four Type 214 submarines and to modernize Type 209 submarines had bogged down, with repeated delays and breaches of contractual obligations. Continued inaction would have been disastrous—not only for the country’s operational capability but also for its international image.
Together with the then Chief of the Hellenic Navy, Evangelos Apostolakis, the ministry’s staff, and with the practical contributions of my colleague, then Secretary-General Antonis Oikonomou, I reached the strategic decision for the Hellenic Navy to assume full implementation of the program. It was a decision entailing political and legal risk, requiring technical precision, strict adherence to timelines, and strong legal safeguards. In this last part, the contribution of attorney Mr. Spyros Sagias and his team proved decisive.
Thanks to these actions, since 2014 the Type 214 submarines have been in service with the Hellenic Navy—with all that implies for the country’s defense and deterrent power. At the same time, the political and legal moves of that period safeguarded national interests not only operationally but legally as well.
The submarine case, as it had unfolded before 2014, was financially damaging for Greece. The amount awarded today, though significant, is small compared with the losses caused by earlier handling. Nevertheless, the ICC decision is an institutional affirmation of the strategic choice made at the time.
It is also fitting to congratulate the legal team that represented the country over a decade of litigation, as well as the workers at the Skaramangas Shipyards, whose professionalism and dedication were crucial to completing the project. When the awarded sum—together with the State’s legal costs—has been collected and all details become public, it will be clear that today’s victory is the result of collective work and far-sighted decisions.
The political significance of this case goes beyond the financial benefit and the operational boost. At a time when Greece was fighting for its credibility abroad, the 2014 decision sent a message of resolve and capacity to manage critical programs. It restored confidence in institutions, strengthened the country’s international image as a reliable partner, and proved that with strategic foresight, cross-party understanding, and institutional cooperation, Greece can overcome crises and effectively defend its national interests.
The historical truth is that Greece’s superiority in the Aegean today is no accident. It is the result of a strategic decision taken at the right moment—with courage, will, and a sense of national duty.