Rear Admiral (HN) Dimitrios-Eleftherios Kataras
Superintendent of Hellenic Naval Academy
Hellenic Navy
Rear Admiral Dimitrios E. Kataras GRC N, was born in Volos, Greece, on September 21st, 1965.
He graduated from the Hellenic Naval Academy in 1987 and was specialized as a Communications Officer. He
holds Master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering (MSEE) and in Aeronautical Engineering (MSAE), both
obtained by the US Naval Postgraduate School (NPS). He is a graduate of the Hellenic Joint War College and the
NATO Defense College (SC111). During his sea duty assignments, he served mainly on Frigates as CIC,
Communications/EW, Operations and Executive Officer. He also served as Operations Officer for the
Commander of Frigates Squadron One. His command tours include Commanding Officer of Patrol Boat HS
DOXA and Frigate HS SALAMIS, Commander of Patrol Boats Squadron, Commander of Frigates Squadron Two
(COMHELFRIGRON TWO) and Commander of Frigates (COMHELFRIG). During his shore and staff assignments,
he served at various posts within the Frigate Command, the Fleet Command, and the Hellenic Navy General
Staff (HNGS). Inter alia he was Director of the Operational Evaluations Directorate (OPEREVAL) at Fleet
Command, Director of Personnel and Career Directorate (HRM) at HNGS and DCoS Weapons, Electronics,
Logistics Plans/Policy, Infrastructure (C’ Branch) at HNGS. Stationed abroad he served as Naval Attaché of
Greece in Rome. He has been awarded with all the medals, decorations and commendations stipulated for an
officer of his rank and seniority. He has participated in Operations “SHARP GUARD” (OPSO HS ELLI) and
“UNIFIL” (CO HS SALAMIS), and was OTC (COMHELFRIGRON TWO) of a successful Non-Combatant Evacuation
Operation (NEO) in 2014, during which 182 civilians were evacuated from Tripoli Libya. Kataras began serving
as Superintendent, Hellenic Naval Academy, on February 7, 2019.
He is married and has two sons.
"Energy Security in the Eastern Mediterranean: Α Hellenic Navy Perspective"
Energy security is positively correlated with economic and social impacts. Thus, energy insecurity negatively
influences the National Security. The governmental responsibility on energy security is inter-ministerial. Thus,
the Navy conducts security operations, such as protection of national / International critical infrastructure
related to energy security. However, there are other threats, beyond the physical level, that cannot be handled
with kinetic means. Such threats harm physical infrastructure via cyberspace (STUXNET case).
Focusing on the Eastern Mediterranean basin, we consider developments and challenges occurring in the
region. The wider instability affects EU’s energy security, while being the main factor for issues related to
migration. Regarding the diversification of energy supply routes, newly emerged energy producer states like
Israel, Cyprus and Egypt, provide an even more diversified way, even if there is a state that systematically
possess threats against Cyprus’ rights in energy resources. In the natural gas sector, Greece aspires to become
a transit hub. The Southern Corridor is a major component of the EU’s energy policy. Greece’s aspirations
include the offshore/onshore natural gas pipeline East Med (Israel - Cyprus – Greece – Italy) and the IGI
Poseidon pipeline, serving the energy needs of the region.
Regarding the Exploration / Exploitation of
Hydrocarbons in the Hellenic EEZ, country’s oil potential is promising. Moving to the international level,
NATO’s, EU’s and OSCE’s energy views are examined regarding global energy developments, the safety of
maritime routes, and the communication with other international actors on relative issues. In that demanding
and challenging context, the Navy’s mandate has changed. Hellenic Navy conducts suitable reforms in the
direction of being a more credible security provider maintaining its defensive role.