Defence Street

Category: DEFEA 2023

  • DEFEA 2023 : “Deployment” of American weapons systems in Athens

    DEFEA 2023 : “Deployment” of American weapons systems in Athens

    The historically high level of Greek – American relations, as reflected in the signing of the renewed Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement and the speech of the Greek PM, Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the Congress, is confirmed by the significant presence of US companies at DEFEA 2023.
    The US Army participates in the International Defense and Security Exhibition with some of the most advanced weapon systems it possesses, which are at the forefront of operations both in the war zones of Ukraine and in other areas of the world, and some of which are also in the scope of the Greek Armed Forces.

    HIMARS and Black Hawks

    Known for their effectiveness, the American M142 HIMARS rocket launchers manufactured by Lockheed Martin are expected to be present at DEFEA, according to information. The powerful weapon system remains at the center of interest for its successes on the battlefield and following the announcement by Lockheed Martin and Rheinmetall of their joint development of a German missile defense system, similar to the HIMARS.
    The UH-60M helicopter, the legendary Sikorsky/Lockheed Martin Black Hawk, is also expected to play a leading role in the Exhibition. It is one of the most popular military helicopters in the world, with over 5,000 units serving in 35 countries. The helicopter that will come to Athens is the “Mike” version, with the UH-60 type counting more than 15 million flight hours and over 4 million hours in combat environment.
    The Black Hawk is, in fact, in the scope of the Greek Armed Forces to replace the aging UH-1 Huey of the Greek Army while participating in the selection process of the Air Force as a Search and Rescue helicopter. The Greek Navy already uses a variation of this helicopter, the S-70 Aegean Hawk, and in the coming months, even more modern MH-60 Romeo antisubmarine helicopters of the same helicopter family are expected to arrive in Greece. The General Directorate of Defense Equipment and Investments has already sent the relevant request (LoR for LoA) for the Greek Army’s helicopters and is waiting for Washington’s response.

    Strong US presence

    At DEFEA 2023, the US Army will present the M270 MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System) in its most modern version, the A2, which features a new fire control system allowing the use of precision ammunition, a 600 hp engine, upgraded transmission system, and improved cabin armor. According to reports, the US Army plans to upgrade its entire fleet of 225 M270A1 and 160 decommissioned M270A0 to the A2 version. Visitors to the exhibition will also have the opportunity to learn about the JLTV (Joint Light Tactical Vehicle) by Oshkosh, which is used by the Army, Marines, and Special Operations Command of the United States. In fact, it is one of the vehicles that can be equipped with the Israeli Spike NLOS system, which will soon be available to the Greek Armed Forces. Of particular interest is the largest vehicle of the American Oshkosh, the FMTV (Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles), which is also used by the US Army.

    US AFV

    The US Army will also showcase the powerful M1134 TOW Carrier ATGM (Anti-Tank Guided Missile Vehicle) from the Stryker family of vehicles, a modern Armored Fighting Vehicle (AFV) that is used as the primary anti-tank weapon and has remarkable capabilities against armored threats as it is equipped with TOW missiles. Those who attend DEFEA will also take a close look at the American version of the Textron M1117 Guardian, which was recently introduced into service with the Greek Armed Forces. Athens is set to receive a total of 1,200 vehicles of this type through the EDA program, with hundreds already delivered and the rest arriving in the coming months.

    In the context of the upgraded defense cooperation between Athens and Washington, significant American companies will be present at Metropolitan Expo, such as Aviation Procurement Systems, BAE Systems, Boeing, D&M Ammunition Manufacturing Solution, Dillon Aero, Erickson Inc., General Atomis Aeronautical, Lockheed Martin, Onex, Pratt & Whitney, Raytheon Technologies Corporation, State of Missouri International Trade & Investment, EWR Radar Systems, Masterclock, Textron Aviation Inc., Titanium Industries, Velos Rotors Inc., By-Linear/By-Light, Summit Aviation Inc., Alpha Systems, Air Industrial – G. Alexandris and Join Stock Co., Total View, Aeroservices, S3 Aerodefense, Northrop Grumman, and Cubit Digital Intelligence.

  • The Chief of HNDGS meets the organisers of DEFEA

    The Chief of HNDGS meets the organisers of DEFEA

    March 27th, the Chief of the National Defence General Staff, General Konstantinos Floros, had a meeting in his office with the organisers of DEFEA 2023 Exhibition together with the President of the Hellenic Defense Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEKPY), Mr. Anastasios Rozolis. In the meeting, participated the President of the exhibition organising company ROTA S.A. Mr. Georgios Tsausoglou, the managing director Mr. Alexios Lagoudakis and the Director of “DEFEA 2023” Mr. Vasilios Barkas.

    During the meeting, which was particularly friendly, the organisation and coordination between the NDGS and the exhibition executives were discussed. Additionally the planning of actions regarding the holding of the upcoming “DEFEA 2023” which will take place from May 9 to 11 in Athens. It should be noted that in the year 2021, the DEFEA exhibition took place for the first time in Athens (https://geetha.mil.gr/defea-2021-2/).

    The Chief of NDGS referred to the importance of organising high-level defence equipment exhibitions, through which the country’s capabilities are highlighted and projected both at the level of organization and in the field of defence industry. He especially mentioned that DEFEA provides opportunities to exchange views, know-how and information on modern developments as well as to showcase the training and operational potential of the Armed Forces.

    The organisers of the exhibition expressed their appreciation for the significant contribution of the Armed Forces to its ultimate success.

  • Greece Standing on the Spotlight of Geopolitical Developments – 350 Exhibitors From 27 Countries Will Attend DEFEA 2023

    Greece Standing on the Spotlight of Geopolitical Developments – 350 Exhibitors From 27 Countries Will Attend DEFEA 2023

    The upgraded role of Greece in the geopolitical forefront of the Eastern Mediterranean and the Balkans, as well as the “rebirth” of the Hellenic defence industry, will be a main focal of the international defence and security exhibition DEFEA – Defence Exhibition Athens 2023, which will take place from 9 to 11 May, in Athens Metropolitan Expo.

     

    The participation of numerous diplomatic missions and 350 leading defence companies from 27 countries confirm that Greece is a point of reference for the region of Southeast Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean.

    Armenia, Austria, France, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, the United States of America, India, Israel, Italy, China, Cyprus, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia and the Czech Republic will participate with national stands, as well as the European Commission with the Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space. Independent entries include Belgium, Switzerland, Poland, Spain and Sweden. Hellenic Ministry of National Defence and Hellenic National Defence General Staff will participate with their own stands.

    At the forefront

    Geopolitical, economic and technological developments from the United States to China and from Russia to Iran, as well as the role of NATO, Europe and Greece in the constantly evolving landscape of security threats and challenges, will be a main focal and talking point among political, academic and military participants of DEFEA.

    Within the framework of DEFEA, many national delegations, defence ministers and deputy ministers and Chiefs of Staff are expected to visit Greece. The participation of high-ranking political and military officials coincides with the official launch of Greece’s campaign for election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for 2025-26 period, which aims to expand Greece’s geopolitical footprint on the international stage.

    The fact that Greece is organizing one of the most important international defence and security exhibitions, at a time of tectonic changes that reshape the future, confirms Greece’s role a pilar of security and stability as well as a regional power.

    Emphasizing on Hellenic defence industry

    The framework of DEFEA was the subject of a detailed presentation to Defence Attaches and the diplomatic officials of foreign countries in a meeting held by the Hellenic Ministry of National Defence, while a working meeting took place with the executives of the exhibition organizers, ROTA SA. Deputy Minister, Mr. Hardalias conveyed the message that the country needs a robust defence industry that will serve as a catalyst for achieving strategic autonomy. Extroversion is still a main goal for Greek companies which are exploring new markets and participating in defence exhibitions worldwide.

    Strengthening the Hellenic defence industry is a strategic goal of Hellenic government as Greece is investing in upgrading its defence capabilities. With exhibitors coming from more than 27 countries and delegation from at least 55 countries, DEFEA is a hub for cooperation

    among the hundreds of representatives of the Greek and international defence community and the leaders of the global industry.

    In the context of DEFEA, events and workshops will be organized with a focus on European and NATO initiatives like the European Defence Fund (EDF Cross-Project Conference) and NATO defence innovation initiatives, such as the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) and the NATO Innovation Fund.

  • Meeting with D.M. of National Defence, N. Hardalias, for DEFEA 2023

    Meeting with D.M. of National Defence, N. Hardalias, for DEFEA 2023

    Athens, 20th March A working meeting led by the Deputy Minister of National Defence Mr. Nikolaos Hardalias with executives of the exhibition organization company ROTA SA took place on Friday, March 17, 2023, at the Ministry of National Defence on the subject of the International Defence and Security Exhibition “DEFEA 2023 – Defence Exhibition Athens”, which will take place from 9 to 11 May 2023, in Athens.

    The meeting was attended by:

    • From the ROTA SA, the Chairman of the Board Mr. Georgios Tsausoglou, the CEO Mr. Alexis Lagoudakis and the Director of the “DEFEA 2023” Exhibition Mr. Vassilios Barkas.
    • The Directors of the Executive Office Mrs. Eleni Bobou and of the Military Office Captain Georgios Zouros HN, as well as competent Staff of the Office of the Deputy Minister of National Defence.

    Organizational actions and action planning were discussed regarding the holding of the second DEFEA, in which, currently, 350 leading defence companies from 27 countries have registered to participate, either with national stands or as independent entries. Specifically, exhibitors with:
    • National stands from the countries of Armenia, Austria, France, Germany, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, India, Israel, Italy, China, Cyprus, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, as well as the European Commission with the Directorate General for Defense Industry & Space (DG DEFIS).
    • Independent entries from England, Bulgaria, Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Japan, Croatia, Norway, Poland, Romania and Sweden.
    • The Ministry of National Defence and the Hellenic National Defense General Staff (HNDGS) with their own stands.

    In 2021, the organization of the first DEFEA was particularly successful, with the participation of 315 exhibitors from 22 countries and the presence of 45 official national delegations, at a particularly high political and military level. This year the expectations are even higher. With the cooperation of the Association of Hellenic Manufacturers of Defence Material (SEKPY), which represents over 150 certified Greek companies active in the field of Defence, and the valuable patronage and assistance of the Ministry of Defence, DEFEA will once again present an exhibition worthy of the history of defence exhibitions of the country and the importance of its geopolitical position.

    As part of the work of the Exhibition, which aims to be the point of reference for the region of South-Eastern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean, events and workshops will be organized in the field of the defence industry, initially highlighting the Greek defence industry but also European and NATO initiatives, such as the European Defence Fund (EDF Cross-Project Conference) and NATO defence innovation initiatives, such as the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) and the NATO Innovation Fund.

    Furthermore, parallel actions will take place on special and extremely timely issues such as The Future of Firefighting: Impact on Life, Environment, Economy, Best Practices for Innovative Border Management Solutions (Piloting, Validation and Best Practices of Innovative Border Management Solutions) and Critical Infrastructure Protection.

    “DEFEA 20223” is also under the auspices of the Ministry of Civil Protection and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs & Insular Policy and the support of the Hellenic Aerospace Security & Defense Industries Group (HASDIG) and the Hellenic Association of Space Industry (HASI).