The strengthening of the deterrent power of the country must be accompanied by complete transparency and respect for the Greek people’s backlash. Our goal is strategic. It is not opportunistic. It is the creation of a healthy productive and ecosystem export. Not a state -run cluster of delegates and occasionally acting who at the end of the day will provide a minor financial result, but certainly opacity and corruption.

This was emphasized by the Minister of National Defense, Nikos Dendias, who inaugurated today, Tuesday, May 6, the Defea 2025 International Defense, Security and Technology Exhibition at the Metropolitan Expo Exhibition Center at the Athens International Airport.

“Corruption,” Mr Dendias added, “is always a problem. And it is a developmental and economic problem, not just moral. Corruption not only removes resources, it makes something much worse. It leads to incorrect directions as it distorts the criterion of the choice. It alienates society, the people, from the defensive effort and discourages healthy businesses and, in fact, the starters, to deal with and invest in Defense. “

The minister welcomed visitors to Athens, “in the heart of the eastern Mediterranean”, as he typically said, for the official launch of the Defea 2025 International Defense Material.

“A prestigious report, under the auspices of the Ministry of National Defense, which brings together leading stakeholders and leading defense technology businesses from around the world,” he added.

“The defense industry, scientific research, innovation are at the core of the National Defense Strategy of the Hellenic Republic. And the Ministry of National Defense is hiring the strengthening of the domestic defense industry and the domestic innovation ecosystem as a lever for economic growth and technological superiority, “Mr Dendias clarified.

As part of this effort, he stressed that two strategic goals have been set. The first concerns the expansion of the participation of the domestic defense industry in our equipment programs and the second to the development of a serious innovation ecosystem.

“The decisive role in the second attempt is played by the Hellenic Defense Innovation Center, ELKAK, which complements the first year of his life. It first links innovative ideas and innovative defensive ecosystem with the needs of the Armed Forces, through the new Division of Innovation of the Armed Forces. It links the dynamics of academic research and research centers with modern business requirements, ”the minister said.

And he went on to say that “10 research programs are already underway, and by the end of the year it is planned to be announced an additional 11”.

Through ELKAK, Mr Dendias said, “Greece is seeking presence in developments in critical areas, artificial intelligence, unmanned autonomous systems, cyberattacks, space applications.”

In the spirit of “Agenda 2030” he was drawn up, Mr Dendias said, “the first long -term program of defense equipment (BAE)” which “comes to cover a period in principle 12, but plus 8 years. That is, a clear horizon of twenty years. Innovative equipment programs have been planned for modern business, satellite and control and control software and software. ”

“Our main goal is the involvement of the Greek Defense Industry 25% in the equipment programs.

Referring to the past, he reiterated that “Greece until 2004 has spent today’s prices over € 270 billion on equipment. Without the timeless not optimal choices, this money would be enough to be Greece today export superpower. “

He added: “For this reason, I have already announced a series of transparency measures that accompany the long -term equipment program. But I would like to say that the Ministry of National Defense is ready and adopt as reasonable measures indicating opposition parties or society bodies. “

Mr Dendias did not fail to say that Greece at European level “is actively involved in the initiatives of enhancing the common defense effort” and continued: “We recognize the changing geostrategic conditions and increased demands for deterrence and security in Europe. We are ready to incorporate the possibilities offered by the European Rearm Europe Initiative. Rearm Europe is not just a European response to the challenges herein, it is a lever for strategic autonomy and solidarity in which Greece participates. “

“Greece,” he said, “is a hub of cooperation. Greece wants to be a meeting place and Defea is the perfect platform for it. So we may have exchanges of know -how. This is how we reinforce collective defense. “

“Our country, as a member of the European Union and NATO, is consistently, over time committed to the principles of international legality, allied cohesion, collective security. And the presence in Defea allies, partners and friends is a sign of unity, common perception, common orientation, ”he explained.

“Defense spending has been a condition of our national survival for Greece. But I dare say, for the first time they are now treated as a lever for economic growth and as a place of economic cooperation with friendly countries. Defensive costs can bare, if they are done properly, growth, they can create wealth. They can create enviable jobs for high abilities, both inside and outside the Armed Forces. They can bare – and this is a top priority – an important export activity that will finally cure, to the extent possible, the timeless problem of external balance balance. Because the deficit balance of external payments threatens the security of Greece itself, “he concluded.

The Director of the Defea 2025 exhibition, Vassilis Barkas, and the President of the Association of Greek Defense Material Manufacturers (SEKPY) Tasos Rosolis, also addressed greetings.

On the sidelines of Defea 2025, the Minister of National Defense met with the President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides, the Minister of Defense of Armenia Suren Papikyan, with whom he discussed ways to further strengthen his strategic defense and defensive defense. Lélis, with which they signed a Memorandum of Understanding to provide assistance to the military training of students from the Green Cape, in the context of enhancing bilateral defense relationship.

The meetings were also attended by the Chief of General Staff, General Dimitrios Houpis, the Secretary General of the Ministry of National Defense Antonios Economou and the General Manager of the Directorate -General for Political Defense and International Relations (DGS) Ambassador. Michael Spinellis.

At the ceremony opened by Defea 2025, were also present by Minister of Maritime and Island Policy Vassilis Kikilias, Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Yiannis Kefalogiannis, Minister of Defense Kristóf Szalay Development, Stavros Kalafatis Research and Innovation Research and Innovation, Deputy Minister of Maritime and Island Policy Stefanos Gikas, UK Deputy Minister of Defense, responsible for Defense Industry, Maria Eagle, MPs, as well as Foreign Affairs Self -government.

The military leadership also attended the Chief of General Staff, Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis, the Chief of General Staff, Lieutenant General Dimitrios – Eleftherios Curse, the Chief of the General Staff, Vice -President (I) Dimosthenes Grigoriadis Lieutenant General Ioannis Bouras, as well as representatives of the Security Corps.