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…my own prediction is that even if the margin between unionist and nationalist parties should slip still further in the decades to come (though I doubt that it will have changed much by 2021), the outcome of any referendum vote will remain securely on the pro-Union side, no matter how badly led unionism is in the future.
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No raycun, it’s an answer that may require further explanation depending on your knowledge of military matters.
You have first to not only consider current threats, but past and future ones. You have, as I said above, to consider the need to fulfil NATO commitments, and also other international operations (which is why the Irish Army has tanks, APCS and ground-to-air missiles). You also have to consider the diplomatic pressure that can be exerted by the presence of powerful armed forces.
Threats to Greece’s borders that required tanks – Turkey, Yugoslavia, the Warsaw Pact.
Threats to Greece’s borders that require tanks – none, though they have use in showing resolve over the Aegean Islands.
Threats to Greece’s borders that might require tanks in future – Turkey, Russia
Threats to Greece’s sea lanes and airspace that required subs and fighters – Nazi Germany, Italy, Turkey, Yugoslavia, the Warsaw Pact.
Threats to Greece’s sea lanes and airspace that require subs and fighters – Turkey.
Threats to Greece’s sea lanes and airspace that might require subs and fighters in future – Turkey, Russia, and who knows what might arise in the Near and Middle East