The bill “Research, development and innovation in the Armed Forces, modernization of the institutional framework of the Higher Military Educational Institutions, establishment of a Joint Informatics Corps in the Armed Forces and other provisions” presented the Minister of National Defense Nikos Dendiasat today’s cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

The draft law has been approved by the cabinet and will be submitted for public consultation shortly.

According to competent sources of the ministry National Defensethe bill includes:

a. Research and innovation in the Armed Forces with the establishment of the “Hellenic Innovation Development Center” (ELKAK),

b. The modernization of the institutional framework of the Higher Military Educational Institutions and the

c. The establishment of a Joint Informatics Corps in the Armed Forces.

The Cabinet meeting was also attended by the Deputy Minister of National Defense Ioannis Kefalogiannis, who presented in detail the changes in the institutional framework of the Supreme Military Educational Institutions.

As stated in the relevant bill:

The goal of the Hellenic Innovation Development Center is to create a defense innovation ecosystem for the promotion and support of Research and Development of dual-use technologies and the supply of innovative products for the Armed Forces.

Shareholders are the Greek State (67%) and the Hellenic Holdings and Property Company SA” (33%).

His mission is:

– Cultivating a domestic Defense Innovation Ecosystem with an emphasis on advanced dual use tech according to international standards,

– The Development of financial and non-financial tools for the transfer of technology between innovative/start-ups and defense industries,

– The cooperation with HEIs, research centers and universities of the Armed Forces, of the country and abroad and

– The possibility of the Armed Forces to supply innovative products for defense application.

The Greek Center will be financed by:

-The National Defense Innovation Fund (with resources coming from ≥1.5%

on the equipment program, 27 million euros per year),

-The National Defense Development Fund (private investment funds, Venture capitals,

5-10 million euros from Superfund + private funds) and

– EU, NATO funding programs (European RTD programs, EIC Accelerator, Horizon, NATO DIANA Programs, NIF, etc.).

With regard to the modernization of the Higher Military Educational Institutions (ASEI), with the bill – as mentioned – new possibilities are provided:

a. for the officers of the Armed Forces for:

– Elaboration of a doctoral thesis,

– Elaboration of an industrial doctorate in collaboration with companies or industries, in the production of innovative products or services,

– Participation in research programs of HEIs or ASEIs, for a fee, without burdening the state budget,

b. For the Faculty members (Teaching and Research Staff) of ASEI for:

– Teaching in third cycle study programs – supervision of doctoral theses,

– Provision of paid overtime and

– Fee from their intellectual property rights.

With the extension of postgraduate studies, the following are achieved:

– Designation of ASEIs as Centers of Excellence

– Possibility of organizing third cycle programs (doctoral programs),

– Conclusion of cooperation protocols with companies or industries for the preparation of industrial doctorates and

– Participation of military personnel in post-educational specialization programs (fellowships) and preparation of post-doctoral research.

The bill also provides:

– Simplification and acceleration of internal processes,

– Harmonization of the institutional framework of ASEIs with the operating framework of HEIs and

– Establishment of a research Ethics and Ethics committee.

Finally, the bill envisages the establishment of a Joint Informatics Corps for the Three Branches of the Armed Forces, subject to the General Directorate of Defense.

To this end, a special Cybersecurity Directorate (Unit 1864) is being established at GEETHA.

In this context:

– An IT department is established at the Military School of Officer Corps (S.S.A.S.),

– It is possible to study and further train staff of the Corps in IT departments of A.E.I. and

– Possibility of redeployment of specialized personnel of the Armed Forces.

The goal of the Joint Body is the adaptation, prevention and timely reaction of the digital infrastructures of the E.D. to cybersecurity challenges.

Its mission is the training of executives in cyber defense operations, software development for the needs of the E.D. and network management to prevent cyber threats.

Advantages of the new Joint Body are:

– The unified administration and training,

– The standardization of digital systems at an interdisciplinary level.

– The interoperability of the General Staffs and

– Saving resources.