Athens. Defence Exhibition Athens (DEFEA) is being organised at a point when Greece announced major arms purchases with “six emblematic decisions that multiply the power, functionality and effectiveness of Greek weapons” as the Greek prime minister K. Mitsotakis stated.
These decisions include:
1. The Hellenic Air Force will immediately acquire a squadron of 18 Rafale fighter jets that will replace older Mirage 2000 fighters. As the Greek PM said these are fourth generation superior aircraft that “strengthen Greek deterrent power in combination with the modernised of F-16.”
2. The Hellenic Navy is launching the process for the procurement of four new multi-role frigates, while at the same time it will modernise and upgrade four existing MEKO frigates. Mitsotakis left open, what these ships will be, and several countries are looking at the tender for their own shipyards, or design bureaus. The new ships will also be accompanied by four MH-60R (Romeo) naval helicopters.
3. The arsenal of the three branches is being enriched as a whole. New anti-tank weapons are immediately provided for the Army, new heavy-duty torpedoes for the Navy. New guided missiles for the Air Force. The doctrine is every weapon system will be active throughout its lifespan, as it should and where it is needed.
4. Mitsotakis also announced the recruitment of 15,000 men and women for an initial five-year period. At the same time, the whole framework of military service and training is being re-evaluated, so that recruits can acquire certified skills for free.
5. The re-activation of Greek defense industry was also announced. Already in the Elefsina shipyards American funds are being invested in their modernization. A strategic investor will soon enter the Scaramanga shipyards. The tender process was completed, the privatization of ELVO- Hellenic Vehicle Industry SA will be completed in the immediate future and the Hellenic Aerospace Industry was reorganized into an aircraft maintenance center for the wider area.
6. The Armed Forces are enhancing their digital operations, as well as their protection against hybrid-type cyber-attacks. At each of their operational levels, modern systems are installed that ensure a secure flow of information and therefore timely mobilisation.
Prominent new developments in the field of defence and security linked to the prospect of revitalising the Greek and European defence is the focus of the First International Defence Industry, Systems and National Security Exhibition DEFEA -Defence Exhibition Athens.
During high tides on geopolitical level in the broader Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, discourse on security and defence has become much more intense. Greece itself is bouncing back from the Euro-crisis and after a full decade of fiscal stagnation is investing in defence and preparing a multi-year armament programme. In this regard DEFEA is honoured to display the qualities of a wide variety of Greek defence enterprises alongside long standing international defence industry giants.
DEFEA will take place at Metropolitan Expo Exhibition Center in Athens International Airport from May 11 – 13 next year under the patronage of the Greek Ministry of Defence – Directorate of Defence Equipment and Investment (GDDIA). DEFEA is organised by ROTA Exhibitions Greece together with the Hellenic Defence Material Manufacturers Association (SEKPY).
