*Athanasios Tsakalos

The greatest International Defence Conference “DEFEA Conference 2024” has been concluded today with absolute success, having attracted the interest of a large number of attendees.

The high-profile Conference, which we hope will become an institution, took place at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center hosted by the international defence and security exhibition DEFEA – Defence Exhibition Athens under the auspices of the Ministry of National Defence. The conference was organized by ROTA Exhibitions in collaboration with the Hellenic Manufacturers of Defence Materiel Association (SEKPY).

The main objective of the Conference’s agenda was to delve into critical thematic sections pertaining to the collective good – Defence – such as Research and Innovation, Defence Technology and the Defence Industry.

In this context, the President of SEKPY, Mr. Anastasios Rozolis, addressed the participants and presented the positions of the Association. The discussion, however, that attracted the attention of the attendees was the one between the journalist and analyst, Mr. Vassilis Nedos, and the Minister of National Defence, Mr. Nikos Dendias.

During their discussion, the Ministry of Defence took a position on the establishment of the bill under consultation entitled “Establishment of a Hellenic Center for Defence Innovation, modernization of the institutional framework of the Higher Military Educational Institutions, establishment of a Joint Informatics Corps in the Armed Forces and other provisions” saying that its implementation comes to satisfy an existential need by mobilizing the country’s human and productive capital.

Also read: HMoND | The legislative initiative for HCDI under consultation

The Minister noted that the legislation comes to ‘cure a chronic disease’ in academies, the capability of conducting research, which will lead to added value for the Armed Forces. Referring to the “Agenda 2030”, Mr. Dendias stated that its adoption is not another declaration, but shows how the Armed Forces will be qualified to face modern challenges through robust reforms.

In this direction, he added that 2 billion euros have been secured for the implementation of the Agenda. Regarding the programs of the Hellenic Navy, the LCS ships in particular, he expressed the position that the Ministry will only discuss specific ships without their major flaws and completely free of charge.

Concerning the alternatives, he stated that the option of ordering the 4th FDI and corvettes are still on the table, confirming the country’s certain participation in the production and design of the FFG-62 Constellation program which is not a hypothetical scenario, as the Hellenic Navy should not have only one supplier.

Mr. Dendias referred to the importance of joint action, which is imposed by today’s operational conditions, and – by extension – to the establishment of a joint Informatics and Cybersecurity Corps with defensive and offensive capabilities in cyberspace.

In particular, the Minister referred to the relevant name “Unit 1864”, whose adoption he reserved to share in the future.

Finally, regarding the discussion on the air defence systems and their eventual exchange with new systems, so that the old ones can be granted to Ukraine, the Minister of Defence emphasized that the only proposal he has heard about – and which is rejected – concerns just the granting of these, while a potential proposal for exchange will be discussed by the competent bodies and institutions.

Also read: DEFEA 2023 | High-level contacts

After the recorded message of the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff (HNDGS), Lieutenant General Mr. Houpis, the speech of Colonel Ioannis Bouras, Director of the newly established 6th Branch of the HNDGS, who analyzed the reasons for the formation of the branch, is considered important. The objective of this Branch is to identify the needs of the Armed Forces, digital transformation and investment in the development of new technologies and the integration of innovation for the benefit of the Armed Forces.

It is an evolution strategy with a 15-year horizon, which aims to change the paradigm, i.e. production of systems through Research and Development and not fruitless purchase of weapon systems off the shelf.

In addition to these, it is worth emphasizing that the Conference was honored with the presence of officials from companies, industries, associations, institutions, research centers and the Armed Forces, giving special value to the work of the Conference, Furthermore, the conference itself was a first-class opportunity for networking for the benefit of the domestic defence ecosystem.

Now, everyone is looking forward to the upcoming organization of the International Defence and Security Exhibition DEFEA – Defence Exhibition Athens, which will take place between May 6-8, 2025, aiming to become a point of reference in the defence domain.

Also read: SEKPY | Impressive event showcases Greek Defence Industry in Brussels