Extensive discussions are taking place between Athens and Washington on the modernisation of the facilities used by the US Armed Forces at Souda, as part of changes expected to be implemented in the Mutual Defence Cooperation Agreement between the US and Greece. According to a report in Kathimerini, discussions are under way on the modernisation both of the naval installations at Marathi and the facilities at the adjacent air base (115th Combat Wing). In the five-year period 2021-26, the US Defense Department budget provides for expenditure at the sites of around $42 million.
The Americans are already replacing the existing facilities for the maintenance of smaller (Special Operations) craft with new ones which have updated capacities. It should not be forgotten that the boats which are used by the US Special Forces often sail from Souda as far as Cyprus so they are not small craft, as is widely assumed. In addition facilities for a Joint Tactical Operations Centre (JTOC) are being developed at Souda.
The modernisation works at Souda include less eye-catching but equally important measures such as the creation of new shelters for the American aircraft stationed at the 115th Combat Wing and the replacement of sections of the air base’s fencing. Working teams from the two sides are taking part in technical discussions for the solution of any legal issues which may arise.
With regard to the Pentagon budget and the announcement made by the Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as to the need for reducing unnecessary costs so that the funds can be directed towards reinforcement of the American Armed Forces, undoubtedly the need for reducing the US footprint in Europe is expected to be on the table in the near future. Greece does not appear to be included in this category, however, since as has emerged from the recent assessment of Souda by forces active in the Middle East and Iran, the installations at Marathi remain of the utmost operational importance for the Pentagon.
(Haniotika Nea, 09-08-25)
The Souda Naval Base and the US presence
The Souda Naval Base is an installation of the Hellenic Navy on the north side of Souda Bay, which provides facilities for the docking and servicing of NATO and allied ships. It is particularly important for the US as it is the only deep water port in Southern Europe and the Mediterranean that is capable of berthing and maintaining the largest aircraft carriers. (The only other comparable facilities are at Norfolk Virginia, Puget Sound on the US’s Pacific Coast and Dubai on the Persian Gulf.) It is also the home to various logistics and training facilities.
The US presence is concentrated in what is officially entitled the US Naval Support Activity Souda (NSA), which lies adjacent to the village of Mouzouras, at the eastern end of Chania’s Daskalogiannis Airport, and to the Hellenic Air Force base, which is home to the 115th Combat Wing and also to US fighter jets and other aircraft.
According to the NSA website, “NSA Souda Bay is home to approximately 1,000 people, including active duty military, U.S. civilian employees, local national employees, contractors, and family members, assigned to NSA Souda Bay or tenant commands. The base contributes an average of 35 million Euro to the local economy each fiscal year, including local national employee salaries, service and maintenance contracts, and local purchases.”
NSA Souda has many outreach activities aimed at engaging with the local community, regularly loaning its staff for volunteer activities such as beach cleaning and building repairs, etc.
