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Athens, May 6, 2025 – Greece officially inaugurated the Defence Exhibition Athens (DEFEA) 2025 today, a premier international defence and security event hosted under the auspices of the Hellenic Ministry of National Defence. The exhibition was opened by Defence Minister Nikos Dendias, who outlined Greece’s strategic shift toward innovation, transparency, and international defence cooperation.
Speaking at the Metropolitan Expo, Minister Dendias emphasized two key national goals: enhancing domestic participation in defence procurement and fostering a strong innovation ecosystem, notably through the newly formed Hellenic Defence Innovation Center (HDIC). The Center, now one year in operation, is already running multiple research programs in AI, cyber operations, unmanned systems, and space technologies.
The Minister also presented Greece’s first 20-year Long-Term Armament Program, part of the broader “Agenda 2030” strategy, aimed at ensuring sustainable, transparent, and forward-looking defence planning.
With a goal for Greek industry to cover at least 25% of national defence procurements, Dendias underscored that defence spending must generate “technology, exports, and high-quality jobs,” transforming military investment into a national growth engine.
International cooperation was also at the forefront, with bilateral meetings held with the Cypriot President, and the Defence Ministers of Armenia and Cape Verde, the latter resulting in a signed MoU on training cooperation.
DEFEA 2025 has attracted record participation from global defence companies and officials, highlighting Greece’s role as a key player in European defence and a reliable partner within NATO and EU frameworks.
“Greece is not merely a consumer of security—it is a contributor,” Dendias said. “Our deterrence must be based on innovation, credibility, and openness.”
Greece at the Forefront of Defence Innovation: DEFEA 2025 Inaugurated by Defence Minister Nikos Dendias
With formal ceremony and international resonance, the Defence Exhibition Athens 2025 (DEFEA 2025) officially opened its doors today, Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at the Metropolitan Expo venue, near Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos.”
The event was inaugurated by the Minister of National Defence, Nikos Dendias, in the presence of high-ranking officials, foreign delegations, and leading representatives of the global defence industry.
Held under the auspices of the Hellenic Ministry of National Defence, this year’s edition of DEFEA has broken previous records in participation, bringing together major companies and institutions from around the world.
In his opening remarks, Minister Dendias emphasized that defence industry, scientific research, and innovation lie at the heart of Greece’s national strategy. Strengthening the domestic defence base, he noted, is a lever not only for technological superiority but also for sustainable economic development.
Two Strategic Goals and the Role of Hellenic Defence Innovation Center (HDIC)
Minister Dendias outlined two strategic goals that define Greece’s defence policy:
◾ Increase the participation of the domestic defence industry in armament programs,
◾ Develop a robust innovation ecosystem through the Hellenic Defence Innovation Center (HDIC).
Now completing its first year of operation, the HDIC is a vital link between research institutions, academia, and the Armed Forces. Ten research programs are currently underway, with another eleven expected by the end of 2025. Focus areas include artificial intelligence, unmanned systems, cyber operations, and space technologies.
Long-Term Planning Through the National Armament Program
Within the framework of the national strategy “Agenda 2030,” Minister Dendias unveiled Greece’s first-ever Long-Term Armament Program (LTAP) — a 20-year planning framework that ensures transparency and stability in defence investments.
The program emphasizes advanced capabilities in cyberwarfare, satellite systems, and command and control software (C2). The goal is for the Greek industry to contribute at least 25% to national defence procurements, fostering an export-driven, competitive, and transparent ecosystem—not a bloated, state-dependent, or clientelist one.
Transparency as a Cornerstone of National Security
The Minister stressed that strengthening Greece’s deterrence must go hand-in-hand with absolute transparency. “Corruption is not only a moral issue—it is an economic and developmental one,” he stated, recalling that between 1996 and 2004, defence expenditures exceeded €270 billion—a figure that, if properly invested, could have turned Greece into a defence export power.
He expressed openness to institutional reforms that enhance oversight, even if proposed by opposition parties or civil society.
Greece: A Pillar of European Defence and Cooperation
On the European stage, Greece plays an active role in the ReArm Europe initiative—a mechanism for EU strategic autonomy and collective defence response to emerging threats.
“Greece is a hub of cooperation, and DEFEA is its living proof. Through knowledge exchange, we strengthen collective security,” Dendias said.
He reiterated Greece’s unwavering commitment to international law, alliance cohesion, and collective security within both the EU and NATO frameworks.
High-Level Diplomatic Engagements and Strategic Partnerships
On the sidelines of DEFEA 2025, Minister Dendias held bilateral meetings with:
President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides,
Armenian Minister of Defence, Suren Papikyan, exploring deeper strategic partnership,
Minister of Defence of Cape Verde, Janine Lélis, with whom he signed a Memorandum of Understanding on military education and training cooperation.
These meetings were attended by General Dimitrios Choupis, Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, Antonios Oikonomou, Secretary General of the Ministry, and Ambassador (ret.) Michael Spinellis, Director General for Defence Policy and International Relations.
Strong Presence of Political and Military Leadership
The inauguration ceremony welcomed prominent figures from the political and military sectors, including:
◾ Minister of Maritime Affairs & Island Policy Vassilis Kikilias,
◾ Minister for Climate Crisis & Civil Protection Giannis Kefalogiannis,
◾ Hungarian Minister of Defence Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky,
◾ UK Minister for Defence Procurement Maria Eagle,
◾ Deputy Minister of National Defence Thanasis Davakis,
◾ Deputy Minister of Development Stavros Kalafatis,
◾ Senior military officers, diplomats, and regional representatives.
Defence Spending as a Catalyst for Growth
Minister Dendias concluded his speech with a clear message: Defence spending is no longer just a survival necessity—it is a strategic investment tool.
“It can generate wealth, know-how, export capacity, and high-quality jobs,” he affirmed, expressing confidence that the current strategic direction is not only the right one but the only viable path forward.
Greece: Fortified and Forward-Looking
DEFEA 2025 is not merely a defence expo. It is a symbol of a Greece that fortifies itself, innovates, exports, and strategically invests in its future. In an era of shifting global certainties, Greece aspires to be more than a spectator — it seeks to be a shaper of international defence developments.