In a very warm atmosphere with speeches, discussions, smiles, and a number of distinguished guests, the New Year’s cake-cutting event of the Hellenic Manufacturers of Defence Materiel Association (SEKPY) took place yesterday afternoon in the “Terpsithea” hall of the Hellenic Armed Forces Officers’ Club.

After the guests’ arrival, the event kicked off under the coordination of the Secretary General of the Board of Directors of the Hellenic Manufacturers of Defence Materiel Association, Mrs. Eva Attart, with greetings following from the Vice-President of the Hellenic Parliament, Mr. Georgios Georgantas, the President of the Standing Committee on Armament Programs and Contracts of the Parliament, Mr. Panagiotis Davakis, the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, General Dimitrios Houpis, and finally, the President of SEKPY, Mr. Anastasios Rozolis.

The President of SEKPY, representing the other members of the Board of Directors of the Association, developed the vision of creation, the necessity of developing the sector, and its future actions. In particular, the President referred to the goals of the Association, namely the creation of a state structure, at the level of the General Secretariat / Deputy Ministry, solely responsible for the Domestic Defence Industry as well as the achievement of industrial offsets with at least 30% of the value of armament programs.

The reference of the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, General Dimitrios Houpis, to SEKPY saying that the latter was, is and will be a supporter of the Hellenic Armed Forces in the fulfillment of their mission, which caused particular joy to the Members of the Association, was remarkable.

Afterwards, the President of SEKPY awarded commemorative plaques to Mr. Davakis, Mr. Georgandas, the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, General Dimitrios Houpis, and Mr. Barkas, representative of DEFEA – Defence Exhibition Athens.

The event was attended, among others, by Members of the Greek Parliament, diplomats (such as the US Ambassador in Greece and the French Ambassador in Greece)), academics, Armed Forces officers, entrepreneurs, exporters of the country, and representatives of companies in the sector, who had the opportunity for extensive networking during the reception that followed.

The event ended with everyone’s wishes for the Domestic Defence Industry to grow with more projects and progress in the future.

Also read: SEKPY | “Contracts in the Defence Sector and European Developments” conference completes successfully – Photos