The Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff, Vice Admiral Dimitrios-Eleftherios Kataras HN, participated in the annual Conference of Chiefs of European Navies (CHENS 2026), hosted by the Spanish Navy in Madrid, on Wednesday, May 6, and Thursday, May 7, 2026. The CHENS Summit is an open communication forum aimed at promoting cooperation and the exchange of views among Naval Chiefs.
The main theme of this year’s Summit was “Evolution of Maritime Scenarios: Vision and Consequences for Naval Forces”. In this context, the Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff highlighted the immediate response of the navies of the European Union (EU) in providing security assistance to the Republic of Cyprus, which constitutes proof of solidarity and unity within the EU. During the series of presentations concerning the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the Indian Ocean, the Commander of the European Operation “ASPIDES”, Rear Admiral Vasileios Gryparis HN, presented the operational lessons learned from European Operation “ASPIDES”.
On the sidelines of the meeting, the Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff held a brief meeting with the Spanish Minister of Defence, Ms. Margarita Robles, while he also held a private meeting with the Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and U.S. Naval Forces Africa and Commander of Allied Joint Force Command Naples (JFC Naples), Admiral George M. Wikoff, as well as with his French counterpart, Vice Admiral Nicolas Vajour. In addition, he met with his counterparts from the United Kingdom, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, from Portugal, Vice Admiral Jorge Manuel Nobre de Sousa, and from Estonia, Commodore Ivo Värk, with whom he discussed issues of mutual interest and prospects for the further development of bilateral cooperation. Furthermore, the Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff met with the Commander of the German Fleet and Supporting Forces, Vice Admiral Axel Deertz, and the Deputy Commander of Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM) in Northwood, Vice Admiral Ludovic Poitou.
Within the framework of CHENS 2026, King Felipe VI of Spain welcomed the Chiefs of European Navies at the Royal Palace in Madrid.
The next CHENS 2027 Summit is scheduled to be held in Lithuania.
Commander G. Laiakis HN
Spokesperson for the General Staff
