The upgraded role of Greece in the geopolitical chessboard of the Eastern Mediterranean and the Balkans, as well as the “renaissance” of the domestic defense industry, are to be at the center of the international defense and security exhibition DEFEA – Defense Exhibition Athens 2023, which will take place from 9 to on May 11 at the Metropolitan Expo.

The presence of numerous diplomatic missions and 350 representatives of leading defense companies from 27 countries confirms the fact that Greece is a point of reference for the wider 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 will be “present” at this year’s DEFEA with national stands. the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia and the Czech Republic as well as the European Commission with the Directorate General for Defense Industry and Space. DEFEA will also be attended by independent entries from England, Bulgaria, Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Japan, Croatia, Norway, Poland, Romania and Sweden. The Ministry of National Defense and the GEETHA will have their own stands.

Foreground

The 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 by extension Greece in the constantly changing landscape of threats and security challenges, will be at the “heart » of this year’s DEFEA and will be the subject of discussion between political, academic and military actors.

Within the framework of DEFEA, Greece is expected to be visited by dozens of national missions, ministers and deputy ministers of Defense and Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces. The presence of high-ranking political and military officials coincides with the official launch of Greece’s campaign to elect the country as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the period 2025-26, which aims to expand Greece’s geopolitical footprint in international scene.

The fact that Greece organizes one of the most important defense and security exhibitions with international exposure and in fact, at a time when tectonic changes are taking place which shape the balance of forces of the future, confirms the role of the country as a pillar of security and stability as well as of calculable regional power.

Emphasis on domestic defense industry

The context of this year’s DEFEA was presented in detail to the Defense Envoys and the diplomatic missions of foreign states in a special meeting organized by the Ministry of National Defense, while a working meeting was also held with executives of the ROTA SA Exhibition Organization company. Deputy Minister Mr. Hardalias sent out the message that the country needs a robust defense industry, which will act as a catalyst to achieve strategic autonomy. Extraversion is also required, with Greek companies presenting their products in new markets as well as at the largest defense exhibitions worldwide.

Strengthening the domestic defense industry is a strategic goal of the government with the bar being set high, since Greece is investing significant sums in upgrading the operational capabilities of the Armed Forces. With exhibitors from more than 27 countries and delegations from at least 55 countries, DEFEA is a hotbed of collaboration between the hundreds of representatives of the Greek and international defense community and the leaders of the global industrial sector.

As part of DEFEA’s work, defense industry events and workshops will be organized and European and NATO initiatives such as the European Defense Fund (EDF Cross-Project Conference) and NATO defense innovation initiatives such as the Accelerator will be in the foreground Defense Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic-DIANA and the NATO Innovation Fund