ARMAMENTS

Twenty French companies are present in DEFEA 2021, underscoring the close relations between France and Greece also in the defence industry field. The two countries maintain a long-lasting strategic cooperation within EU and NATO as well as with the countries of Eastern Mediterranean namely Cyprus, Egypt and the UAE. Additionally, the first out of 18 Rafale fighter aircraft is expected soon, while the French proposal for the Greek frigate programme is evaluated by the Hellenic Government.

With the first Rafale fighter – painted in the colors of Greece – to be expected in July out of a total of 24 aircraft that will be delivered, but also with the proposal for the construction of Greek frigates, France has laid the foundations and aims to expand its strategic cooperation with our country. The two countries have long-standing and broader cooperation through the EU, NATO and the Five-Party Cooperation (together with Cyprus, Egypt and the UAE) for the Eastern Mediterranean as well as via joint exercises of their Armed Forces.

Also read: EXCLUSIVE | Cyprus is participating with a National Pavilion at Defence Exhibition Athens (DEFEA)

Greece and France are stable allies in order to ensure and strengthen a safer geopolitical environment in the wider Eastern Mediterranean region.

Coordinator of the French participation in DEFEA is GICAN, the French Marine Industry Group. The Group brings together shipyards, system and equipment manufacturers, subcontractors, engineering and architect businesses that are involved in the design, construction, maintenance and implementation of military and civilian vessels, and those who work in the domain of maritime security and Marine Renewable Energies. GICAN’s ambition is to promote the development of the French maritime industry to allow it to play a key role in promoting, securing and protecting maritime, air-sea, subsurface and coastal areas.

Also read: Impressive Israeli participation in DEFEA

The French defence industries, which have confirmed their participation in DEFEA, are:

AIRBUS

Airbus pioneer’s sustainable aerospace for a safe and united world. The Company constantly innovates to provide efficient and technologically-advanced solutions in aerospace, defence, and connected services. Airbus is also a European leader in defence and security and one of the world’s space businesses. In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions and services worldwide.

ALSEAMAR

ALSEAMAR gathers the marine and underwater activities of Alcen industrial group dedicated to Defence & Security, Oil & Gas and Oceanography markets.

The aim of the company is to design and to manufacture innovative subsea and naval systems and to deliver new services thanks to the know-hows developed internally.

Noteworthy examples:

Robotic: Vehicles for combat diver: Swimmer Delivery Vehicles / Diver Propulsion Vehicle

Acoustic: Underwater acoustic positioning equipment T-DETECTOR – Submarine in distress or Black box positioning

Radio: Naval radio communication systems /Active antenna for ship and submarine / HF antenna / Expandable Communication Buoys for Submarine

Life Extender Services: Survey / Upgrade of Naval Combat Systems / Obsolescence’s Treatment / Refit of orphan system / Maintenance

ALSEAMAR is organised into three divisions: Materials, Products and Services, each with leading market positions in their specific niches. The revenue in 2020 was € 15 million. One hundred highly skilled employees, engineers and technicians work at its head office in Paris and in three operational sites Aix-en-Provence, Toulon and Brest.

ARQUUS

ARQUUS is a major actor for the French industry, from vehicle design to support, with a fleet of nearly 25,000 vehicles within the French Army, 20,000 of which are directly supported by the company.

ARQUUS is one of the three members of the short-term consortium to which the French Ministry of Armed Forces awarded the Scorpion contract. Manufacturer of world-renowned vehicles such as the VAB, the VBL, the Bastion and the Sherpa family, ARQUUS is also a major supplier for more than 60 countries.

AVANTIX, AN ATOS COMPANY

Avantix is an Atos company which provides its customers with electronic warfare solutions. Avantix combines electronics and information technology to provide homeland protection and military forces with advanced knowledge of threats and superior tactical situational awareness whether on naval, land or air platforms.

Its solutions, which are battle-tested, give decision-makers the capability to manage signals in the electromagnetic spectrum, such as radar or radio transmissions, to protect citizens, infrastructures and military assets.

COUACH – CNC

The Chantier Naval Couach is a century-old French company specialized in the construction of professional yachts and vessels. Located in Gujan-Mestras, on the Bay of Arcachon, it designs and manufactures fast interception vessels and patrol boats of 12 to 50 meters.

DASSAULT AVIATION

On January 25th, 2021, the Greek authorities signed with Dassault Aviation a contract for the acquisition of 18 Rafale. The first aircraft will be delivered to the Hellenic Air Force during the summer 2021. The arrival of the Rafale in Greece marks the continuation of more than forty-five years of solid partnership with Dassault Aviation.

Following on from its predecessors, the Mirage F1 in 1974, the Mirage 2000 in 1985 and the Mirage 2000-5 in 2000, the latter including the upgrading of 10 Mirage 2000 aircraft to the 2000-5 standard with a large contribution from Greek industries, it salutes the quality of the long-standing strategic relationship between Greece and France.

Thanks to its unique “omnirole” capabilities, the Rafale can simultaneously perform air-combat and surface-attacks during the same mission, thus being a true “force multiplier” for all types of engagement, in coalitions or in full autonomy.

Extremely powerful, superbly agile and very discrete, the Rafale not only integrates the largest and most modern range of sensors, multiplying their efficiency with the particularly performing “multi-sensor data fusion”, but it is also fitted with an outstanding load-carrying capability and an impressive advanced mission system.

The Rafale capabilities are regularly updated in order to keep the highest combat level with respect to its various operational environments and related return of experience from the French armed forces. Designed to meet the country’s operational requirements, the Rafale will make a significant contribution in reinforcing Greece’s sovereignty and strengthening its geostrategic position in the region.

ECA GROUP

ECA GROUP designs, manufactures and supports complete and integrated unmanned systems based on autonomous and remotely operated technologies for mine clearance at sea. ECA GROUP systems support over 30 navies worldwide.

EURONAVAL

Euronaval offers you a unique opportunity to meet, exchange and do business with decision-makers from navies from the five continents. You will display your solutions and promote your know-how to global naval key-players, SMEs, ETIs and startups that boost the defence and security market at sea and from the sea. You will further enjoy a reliable programme of Official Delegations visits and tailor-made BtoB meeting service.

IXBLUE

IXblue is a global high-tech company specializing in the design and manufacturing of advanced marine, photonics and autonomy technologies. The group in-house expertise includes innovative systems and solutions devoted to inertial navigation, subsea positioning, underwater imaging as well as shipbuilidng and test & simulation. IXblue technologies support Civil and safety, efficiency and reliability. Employing a workforce of 650 people worldwide, iXblue conducts its business in over 60 countries.

LACROIX

The Etienne Lacroix Group, founded in 1848, is a family-owned pyrotechnic systems integrator, providing applications to the defence, law enforcement and civil safety sectors. Its activities are vertically integrated and span from product design to manufacture, support and services.

MBDA

MBDA is the only European defence group capable of designing and producing missiles and missile systems that correspond to the full range of current and future operational needs of the three-armed forces (land, sea and air). With a significant presence in five European countries and within the USA, in 2020 MBDA achieved revenue of 3.6 billion euros with an order book of 16.6 billion euros.

In total, the group offers a range of 45 missile systems and countermeasures products already in operational service and more than 15 others currently in development.

MBDA is jointly owned by Airbus (37.5%), BAE Systems (37.5%), and Leonardo (25%).

Today’s armed forces face increasingly complex engagement scenarios where there is no room for error. In this ever-more demanding and ever-changing environment, they can count on MBDA’s expertise and commitment to provide cutting-edge, combat-proven technology.

Over the years, MBDA has proven its ability to provide decisive military capabilities to protect national security and to enable strategic independence and freedom of action.

The company draws on extensive integration experience on a wide range of legacy and new generation platforms. From man portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile systems to fully networked Anti-Tactical Ballistic Missile architectures, from naval self-defence to very long-range stand-off cruise missiles, the company can offer an optimised solution tailored to the customer’s specific requirements.

MC2 TECHNOLOGIES (MICROWAVE CHARACTERIZATION CENTER TECHNOLOGIES)

MC2 Technologies- Microwave Characterization Center Technologies- is a spin-off from IEMN research laboratory (Institute of Electronics, Microelectronics and Nanotechnology). It specializes in micro- and nanotechnologies, mainly applied to the fields of defence, security, and telecommunications. MC2 Technologies offers counter-drone solutions, passive body scanner solutions to detect hidden objects worn by people through clothing and a wide range of microwave products.

NAVAL GROUP

Naval Group is the European leader in naval defence. Naval Group uses its extraordinary know-how, unique industrial resources and capacity to arrange innovative strategic partnerships to meet its customers’ requirements.

Naval Group designs, builds, integrates, and provides in-service support, dismantles and deconstructs for surface ships and submarines. As industrial contractor, designer and overall integrator of whole warships and combat systems, it also offers a full range of services to naval bases and shipyards while managing very complex programs in France and abroad, wherever navies need them in order to be efficient and autonomous.

Naval Group, based in Athens since 2008, is proud to be an integral part of the strong strategic alliance between Greece and France. With an international standing in 18 countries, Naval Group has a long track record of successful transfers of technology across the world.

NEXTER A COMPANY OF KNDS

Nexter is a company of KNDS, European leader in land defence.

Systems architect and integrator, its mission is to meet the needs of land, air, naval and security forces around the world through the design, development, production and support of complete systems. Nexter is the main supplier and a privileged partner of the French Army. The group’s product range includes armoured vehicles, artillery systems, a wide range of ammunition, robots, digital solutions, as well as support services

OEM DEFENCE SERVICES (OEM DS)

OEM DS offers tailored support solutions leveraging the synergies and efficiencies between its shareholders and other partners. OEM DS provides integrated industrial support solutions to meet the specific needs of national armed forces, while striving to be cost-effective as possible to the customers.

P & C INTERNATIONAL

With 12 years of experience in trade shows and pavilion coordination, the management of P&C International puts at your disposal its knowledge to make your exhibition a success. P&C International provides you with turn-key solutions for your exhibitions abroad. We are officially endorsed by several trade show organisers to inform, recruit and coordinated exhibitors and national Pavilions from several countries (above all French, US and Candian pavilions) for trade fairs in Defence and Security.

P&C International coordinates exhibitor presence on a selection of trade shows. It follows up from start to completion and makes sure it meets 3 objectives: Facilitate the exhibition, highlight visibility, optimise pavilion visits.

RAFALE INTERNATIONAL

On January 25th, 2021, the Greek authorities signed with Dassault Aviation a contract for the acquisition of 18 Rafale. The first aircraft will be delivered to the Hellenic Air Force during the summer 2021. The arrival of the Rafale in Greece marks the continuation of more than forty-five years of solid partnership with Dassault Aviation.

Following on from its predecessors, the Mirage F1 in 1974, the Mirage 2000 in 1985 and the Mirage 2000-5 in 2000, the latter including the upgrading of 10 Mirage 2000 aircraft to the 2000-5 standard with a large contribution from Greek industries, it salutes the quality of the longstanding strategic relationship between Greece and France.

Thanks to its unique “omnirole” capabilities, the Rafale can simultaneously perform air-combat and surface-attacks during the same mission, thus being a true “force multiplier” for all types of engagement, in coalitions or in full autonomy. Extremely powerful, superbly agile and very discrete, the Rafale not only integrates the largest and most modern range of sensors, multiplying their efficiency with the particularly performing “multi-sensor data fusion”, but it is also fitted with an outstanding load-carrying capability and an impressive advanced mission system.

The Rafale capabilities are regularly updated in order to keep the highest combat level with respect to its various operational environments and related return of experience from the French armed forces. Designed to meet the country’s operational requirements, the Rafale will make a significant contribution in reinforcing Greece’s sovereignty and strengthening its geostrategic position in the region.

RAFAUT GROUP

Rafaut Group is a French company involved for more than 60 years in the aerospace and defence sector. Our main customers are governments and aircraft manufacturers. We are specialized in release systems, weapons carriage, warheads, and live fire training solutions. Our products are in operational service and combat-proven under various aircraft.

SAFRAN

Safran Electronics & Defense is a world-leading supplier of products and services that handle observation, decision and guidance functions for both civil and military applications. The company understands and applies a wide range of the state-of-the-art technologies in many different areas, as a supplier to today’s most innovative aerospace and defence programs.

Safran is No. 1 in Europe and No. 3 worldwide for inertial navigation systems used in the air, on land and at sea. It is also the European leader in electro-optical systems and tactical drones. Safran Electronics & Defense has a consolidated workforce of 10,700 employees.

 Also read: These are the American companies at the DEFEA exhibition – The equipment and vehicles that will be presented