The Greek pavilion at the International Defence Systems Exposition “AUSA 2014” which is held in Washington, USA, was inaugurated by the Alternate Minister of National Defence Fofi Gennimata on October 13, 2014.

The inauguration was attended by the Special Secretary of the Ministry of National Defence Antonis Economou, the Ambassador of Greece to Washington Christos Panagopoulos, the Military Attaché and Defence Attaché of the Greek Embassy in Washington Evangelos Papadopoulos, the Vice President of AUSA LTG Jerry Sin and the Chairman of the Hellenic-American Chamber of Commerce Simos Anastasopoulos.

The Defence Attaches of Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia and Bosnia-Herzegovina participated too.

The national participation in AUSA 2014 is organized under the auspices of the Ministry of National Defence and it is supported by Entreprise Greece Invest & Trade, the Hellenic Aerospace and Defence Industries Group (HASPIG) and the Associatin of Hellenic Defence Manufacturers (SEKPY).

The Greek pavilion consists of the following companies: Hellenic Defence Systems, Elfon Ltd, Intracom Defense Electronics & Kouimtzis AE/Alpha Systems which participate by exposing their products and services; THEON SENSORS participates in the exposition with its own pavilion.
      
“This strong presence of Greece in the International Defence Systems Exposition “AUSA 2014” – which had no participation two years ago – sends a message of recovery, extroversion and self-confidence”, noted the Alternate Minister of National Defence Fofi Gennimata. “The government, the Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos and I personally, we believe that the National Defence Industry is a strong factor of reinforcement of our national interests, a force multiplier to our Armed Forces, as well as a lever of growth.”

Mrs. Gennimata also noted that the Hellenic Defence Industry “has skillful personnel, know-how, experienced personnel and quality products. These are the reasons why we support it, we reinforce it, we plan its future and we will participate in all major expositions of the world”.

More specifically, the Alternate Minister of National Defence made the following statement:

“Today is a particularly special day for the Hellenic Defence Industry and I am particularly glad to inaugurate the creation of the first National Greek pavilion at the International Defence Exposition AUSA 2014.

 The pavilion was organized by the Hellenic-American Chamber of Commerce under the auspices of the Ministry of National Defence and assisted also by the Ministry of Development and Competitiveness and particularly Entreprise Greece.

The Greek participation is comprised of four companies, one of which is the Hellenic Defence Systems, and one more company is present at the exposition but is not integrated in the pavilion for technical reasons.

This strong presence of Greece – which had no participation two years ago – sends a message of recovery, extroversion and self-confidence.

The government, the Ministrs and I personally we believe that the National Defence Industry is a strong factor of reinforcement of our national interests, a force multiplier to our Armed Forces, as well as a lever of growth

It has its cadres, know-how, experienced personnel and quality products. These are the reasons why we support it, we reinforce it, we plan its future and we will participate in all major expositions of the world.
         
– From now on the Hellenic Defence Industry will be represented through a single national pavilion in the major international expositions.

– Before the end of 2014 the common advertising material of all Greek companies of this sector will be available and it will be promoted through our military attaches and it will be distributed to every official visit of high-rank Greek delegations.

For the first time a National Defence Industry Strategy was drafted.

We practically support research and technology through a single body and funding of 1% of the budget for armament programmes.

A single Defence Sector Industries Register was created.

We process a system for the certification of the domestic defence industry products.  

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like once more to thank everybody who worked or contributed to the creation of the Greek pavilion and to wish our companies good luck to the contacts they will have during and in the context of the exposition AUSA 2014.

The Greek government, which I represent, supports practically and permanently their efforts.”