Athens. The three-day high profile international Defence Exhibition of Athens (DEFEA) began July 13-15, 2021 in the Greek capital Athens with International companies putting on display land, naval, aerospace, national and cyber security defence systems.

The exhibition is being held under the auspices of the Hellenic Ministry of National Defence, with the support of Hellenic Manufacturers Association of Defence Material and is organised by ROTA Exhibitions Greece.

Greece with a rich history in both culture, political and military, it is indeed an ideal and strategic location for a defence and security exhibition that provides a gateway for the EU and USA to Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

Greece keeps excellent relations and military cooperation with Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries, and also boasts a rising investment in defence and security.

With its established history and continuous investment in defence, Greece has a significant number of companies that have long-term and profitable international partnerships. Among them are companies operating around the world, so a defence event in Athens offers a significant business opportunity to wider industry.

DEFEA is fully supported by the Hellenic Ministry of National Defence offering a unique opportunity for exhibitors to showcase the latest technology, equipment and systems across land, sea and air. DEFEA’S strategic partner is SEKPY-Hellenic Manufacturers of Defence and Security Material Association representing more than 243 certified companies operating in the fields of defence and security. It is being organised at Metropolitan Expo, at Athens International Airport, the biggest and most modern exhibition centre in SE Europe.

DEFEA is also under the auspices of the Greek Ministry of Shipping with the support of the Hellenic Aerospace Security and Defence Industries Group (HASDIG) and the Hellenic Association of Space Industry.

A series of conferences and informative events are scheduled in the course of the three day event giving an opportunity to the exhibitors comprising of some of the world’s biggest defence equipment manufacturers an opportunity to show their wares and considering the world is slowly recovering from the deadly Covid 19 pandemic, surely it is an opportunity for many nations to shore up their defences.

The exhibition will see some of the leading defence equipment manufacturers products on display and so give an opportunity to both buyers and sellers for quality products. A total of 32 American defence industry firms will be exhibiting in the USA Pavilion organized by the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce with the support of the US Embassy.

According to an announcement by the chamber, the exhibits will include a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, an AH-64E Apache helicopter and three vehicles: a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), an M1117 Armoured Security Vehicle (ASV) and a Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) cargo truck (M1078). In addition, within the area of the airport, a Beechcraft King Air 350ER aircraft (with full airborne surveillance capabilities) and a Cessna Citation Latitude (number one best-selling midsize jet) will be on display.

Among the companies whose products would be on display include BAE, Boeing, Advent Technologies and Bell (all USA), Airbus and Dassault Aviation, makers of Rafale fighter aircraft (France), Aitech, Aeronautics and Elbit Systems (Israel), Babcock (UK), Atlas Electronik (Germany) and Barracuda from host country Greece who make inflatable boats.

The exhibition’s opening on July 13 would be followed by the Greek Defence Minister Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos hosting a “Ministerial Roundtable Discussion on the European Defence Initiatives”, during which EU Defence Ministers will discuss the importance of the EU Defence Initiatives (PESCO, CARD, EDF) in promoting defence cooperation between the Member States.

This will be followed by the “Workshop with Industry: Opportunities offered by EU Defence capability development tools”. This Workshop aims to promote the need for a capability-driven and competitive European Defence Technological and Industrial Base in the framework of the main EU Defence Initiatives.

On the second day, a conference organised by ROTA SA and SEKPY (Hellenic Manufacturers Of Defence Material Association on “The Development of the Greek Defence Industry” will be held with keynote speaker Adonis Georgiadis, Minister of Development and Investments and moderated by journalist Nikos Ypofantis.

The day will also see the Directorate of Defence Investments & Technological Research – General Directorate for Defence Investments & Armaments of the Hellenic Ministry of National Defence will organise the “European Defence Fund (EDF) Info Day. Presentations by GDDIA/D: ”GDDIA the roadmap to EDIDP and EDF” and EC/DG DEFIS: “The EDF opportunities for the industry”.

On the concluding day, a conference will be held with keynote speakers General Konstantinos Floros ,Chief Hellenic National Defence General Staff, Major General (rtd) Misail Papadakis, Alternate General Director General Directorate For Defence Investments And Armaments (GDDIA), Anastasios Rozolis, President Hellenic Manufacturers Of Defence Material Association with the title “Hellenic Armed Forces Capability and Development – Requirements & Implementation”.

The exhibition provides Industry leaders an opportunity to not only display their products but also have interface with other leading industrial houses from other nations. This is indeed an opportunity as the organisers of the exhibition said that they can take advantage of the business opportunities to develop their business through contacts with the Greek and International defence community.

The exhibition will feature exhibitors from more than 21 countries, presenting the latest developments and innovations, giving opportunity for new collaborations and synergies.

With official delegations from more than 67 countries attending the exhibition at the level of Minister, General Secretary, Chief of Army, Air Force, Navy and Armaments Directorate, it indeed opens the doors for the companies to impress upon the highest level from nations on the benefit of buying their products.

It would also provide companies to have B2B meetings with the delegations and to take part in Matchmaking events. The exhibition would give an opportunity to these companies to deliver corporate presentations and participate in Networking events creating new contacts.