Greece's defence minister Panos Kammenos is appealing to his austerity-battered country folk for a crowdfunding effort to raise money for new warships, promising to donate part of his own salary.

Panos Kammenos says he will open a bank account on Jan. 1 where members of the public can make donations “for new frigates and a flagship.” “I will be the first to deposit my salary in this effort,” he said, speaking to navy personnel on the occasion of Thursday's feast day of St. Nicholas, patron saint of Greek seamen and the navy.

He addressed his appeal to Greece's wealthy ship owning industry, as well as ordinary Greeks.