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2023-05-01

DEFEA 2023 to Highlight Might of Greece Defence Industry

DEFEA – Defence Exhibition Athens 2023, taking place from May 9 to 11 at the Athens Metropolitan Expo, will focus on the re-emergence of the Hellenic defence industry and bring together the international defence and security industry under one roof.

It will highlight the country’s position as a pillar of security and stability as well as a regional power and Greece’s upgraded role in the geopolitical forefront of the Eastern Mediterranean and the Balkans.

The event is expected to see the participation of several diplomatic missions and 350 leading defence companies from 27 countries.

Nations such as Armenia, Austria, France, Germany, UAE, U.S., India, Israel, Italy, China, Cyprus, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia and the Czech Republic will participate with national stands, besides the European Commission with the Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space.

Independent entries include Belgium, Switzerland, Poland, Spain and Sweden. The Hellenic Ministry of National Defence and Hellenic National Defence General Staff will participate with their own stands.

Focal Point

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

Within the framework of DEFEA, many national delegations, defence ministers, deputy ministers, and Chiefs of Staff are expected to visit Greece.

The participation of high-ranking political and military officials coincides with the launch of Greece’s campaign for election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2025-26, which aims to expand Greece’s geopolitical footprint on the international stage.

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 organisers, ROTA SA.

In the context of DEFEA, events and workshops will be organised 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.

On May 10, Francois Arbault, Director of DG ‘Defence Industry and Space’ of the European Commission, will be the speaker on the subject of “European Defence Fund: support for research and development projects.”

Strong U.S. Participation

The historically high level of Greek-American relations, as reflected in the signing of the renewed Mutual Defence Cooperation Agreement and the speech of the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the Congress, is confirmed by the significant presence of U.S. companies at DEFEA 2023.

The U.S. Army participates in the International Defence 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 & Black Hawks

The American M142 HIMARS rocket launchers manufactured by Lockheed Martin are expected to be present at DEFEA, according to sources. The HIMARS are known for their effectiveness.

The powerful weapon system remains at the centre 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 defence 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 four million hours in combat environment.

The Black Hawk is also in the scope of the Greek Armed Forces to replace the ageing 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 Defence Equipment and Investments has already sent the relevant request (LoR for LoA) for the Greek Army’s helicopters and is awaiting Washington’s response.

Interesting Line-up

At DEFEA 2023, the U.S. 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 armour.

According to reports, the U.S. Army plans to upgrade its entire fleet of 225 M270A1 and 160 decommissioned M270A0 to the A2 version.

Visitors 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.

It is one of the vehicles that can be equipped with the Israeli Spike Non-Line of Sight Launch System (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 used by the U.S. Army.

Top Companies

The U.S. Army will also showcase the powerful M1134 TOW Carrier ATGM (Anti-Tank Guided Missile Vehicle) from the Stryker family of vehicles, a modern Armoured Fighting Vehicle (AFV) that is used as the primary anti-tank weapon and has remarkable capabilities against armoured threats as it is equipped with Tube-Launched, Optically Tracked, Wireless-Guided (TOW) missiles.

Those who attend DEFEA will be able to take a close look at the American version of the Textron M1117 Guardian, which was recently introduced into service with the Greek Armed Forces.

In the context of the upgraded defence cooperation between Athens and Washington, significant American companies will be present at the 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 .

Reference Text/Photo: www.defea.gr

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