The Greek Defence Industry is at the heart of this year’s DEFEA 2023 International Exhibition. With 140 entries, it presents its upgraded capabilities to support the Hellenic Armed Forces and, with its participation in co-productions and industrial collaborations, it also actively participates in the overall development efforts of the country.

Regarding the enhancement of the capabilities of the Hellenic Defence Industry and its current status, in view of DEFEA, the President of the Hellenic Manufacturers of Defence Material Association (SEKPY), Mr. Tasos Rozolis, emphasizes:

“In recent years, the domestic defence industry has taken particularly important steps to recover what it lost during the difficult years of the economic crisis. It presents these steps and the possibilities it has recovered at DEFEA 2023.

Having left many of the distortions and mistakes of the past behind, it now focuses on a strong and healthy development with strong extroverted characteristics which both Greek defence companies and our country can benefit from, both economically and geopolitically.

In fact, the period we are going through is marked by the intense developments in the wider region after the war in Ukraine, which has highlighted the need for the overall development of the European defence industry. At the same time, many armament programs are underway in our country – worth several billion euros – aiming to strengthen the Hellenic Armed Forces.

The above creates a scene that makes the need not just for support but also for the development of the Greek Defence Industry even more urgent. This will be done essentially by upgrading the country’s geopolitical role, which will – at the same time – contribute to the economy and development.”

Also read: CYPSEC 2021 | Interview of Mr. Tassos Rozolis, President of Hellenic Manufacturers of Defence Material Association (SEKPY) to DЯ

The importance of DEFEA 2023 is also highlighted by the impressive participation of the Armed Forces and the Security Authorities of the Greek state.

With its active participation in the organization, the Ministry of National Defence, which has placed DEFEA under its auspices, makes the most of national benefits by inviting the respective political and military leaderships of friendly and allied countries.

The Ministry of National Defence will also organize other conferences and events highlighting the geopolitical dimension of DEFEA. At the same time, the General Directorate for Defence Investments and Armaments, with its participation, will exploit the possibilities of international collaborations with the participating countries and industries. We should not omit to point out the participation of the Ministry of Commercial Shipping, which has also placed DEFEA under its auspices.

The General Staff will have a special presence at the exhibition, which will present, among other things, their training activities and mainly the transnational exercises they organize by hosting forces from allied and friendly countries.

These are exercises focused on the high standards of training of the Hellenic Armed Forces, combined with the geographical and other morphological aspects which can be utilized by friendly Armies.

At the same time, at their Exhibition booths, the Hellenic Police and the Hellenic Coast Guard will present the high level maintained both in terms of the daily safety of the citizen and the currently rather complex issue of land and maritime borders protection.

Also read: BATTLEFIELD ReDEFiNED 2023 | The emerging Cypriot Defence Industry – EU Funding Opportunities