On Wednesday 13 December 2023, the Minister of National Defence, Nikos Dendias, made an address at the Award Ceremony for Startup Enterprises of the MIT StartSmart Accelerator programme, in Southeastern Europe. The ceremony which took place in the National Centre for Scientific Research “Democritos”, was organised by the Greek Technological Entrepreneurship Forum.
In his address Mr. Dendias stated:
It is certain that what I am about to talk about is more boring in comparison to what you have already heard up until now, but still it is my great pleasure and special honour to have the opportunity to be invited in this Awards Ceremony.
New technologies and digital transformation bring immense changes to the field I am currently serving in, namely the military realm. In this era of rapid advancements, it is imperative that we embrace these innovations.
We need to take advantage of their potential in order to enhance our defences, protect our states, maintain regional security and stability. After assuming my duties as Minister of National Defence, I set the creation of a defence innovation ecosystem in Greece as a priority.
By studying the way modern warfare is conducted in present day armed conflicts (that in Ukraine being the most widely known one), one cannot help but realize the substantial importance of innovation and modern technologies. New technologies have ushered in a paradigm shift in the way military operations are being conducted.
With precision-guided munitions, unmanned aerial vehicles, and sophisticated intelligence systems, armies worldwide have the ability to achieve unprecedented levels of accuracy, efficiency, and, mainly, situational awareness.
These advancements have not only increased military capabilities. They have also helped minimize collateral damage and safeguard civilian lives in the process. Furthermore, digital transformation has revolutionized the way we plan, strategise and execute military operations.
Cyber warfare has emerged as a significant concern.
It is through embracing digital transformation, that we can fortify our cyber defenses and safeguard our critical infrastructure. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as encryption, intrusion detection systems, and proactive threat intelligence.
Their integration into military endeavours amplifies capabilities, bolsters defences and empowers the military, to address emerging challenges. Innovation serves as the bedrock upon which the defence industry thrives. It fuels progress, enhances national security, and strengthens the defence capabilities of states, it enables us to develop cutting-edge weaponry, advanced surveillance systems, and state-of-the-art communication networks.
These innovations can equip our armed forces with the tools needed to deter aggression, respond effectively to crises, and maintain a strategic advantage in an ever-evolving global landscape.
Furthermore, innovation can foster collaboration and cooperation among the armed forces and research centres, academia, private sector entities and the defence industry.
Investing in innovation stimulates economic growth and job creation. It fuels economic prosperity and creates a skilled workforce, capable of meeting future challenges. Experience has proven that the defence industry serves as a catalyst for technological advancements across various sectors.
By investing in research and development, we can also stimulate innovation in various civilian industries, leading to a ripple effect of progress and, ultimately, prosperity.
To fully harness the value of innovation in the defence industry, we need to provide adequate resources, in order to support aspiring innovators and entrepreneurs. However, the defence industry sector often requires specialized products that are not readily available in the market.
The existing structure is inadequate in terms of assessing needs, evaluating and financing research proposals and, naturally, allocating available resources, not to mention significant delays in all stages of the process.
It is time for Greece to finally confront these problems and, without delay, implement internationally tested practices for developing a Greek defence innovation ecosystem.
We are currently in the process of restructuring the existing framework and creating a new, dynamic, and modern innovation ecosystem.
The goal is to create an independent body, which will implement sustainable, effective, and timely processes for finding and developing efficient innovative solutions.
This new body, the “Hellenic Defence Systems Research and Development Support Authority”, will undertake the implementation and monitoring of strategic management.
An area in which most problems are currently identified.
Operational research, development, and construction of innovative solutions will remain in the hands of market entities, the academic community, and research centres, coordinated by this new body.
The key mission of this body focuses on cultivating domestic defensive and innovative ecosystems, with an emphasis on advanced dual-use technologies. Its function involves designing, developing, and managing financial and non-financial tools, and promoting technology transfer between start-up enterprises and defence industries.
Its mission will also include:
– Accelerating the adoption of new dual-use technologies by our Armed Forces.
– Supporting startup enterprises, research centres, and defence industries throughout the development cycle of their products or services and their research programs.
– Preparing and managing the processes of concluding research and development contracts.
– Collaborating with similar internal and external organizations and entities to interconnect ecosystems.
– Bridging the gap between military academies, specialized training opportunities with the possibility of attending doctoral programs.
The Hellenic Defence Systems Research and Development Support Authority will be responsible for managing programs and contracts for research and development in defence technology.
It will support the General Staffs and the Greek defence industry in implementing national and international research projects.
Key beneficiaries will also include universities, military academies, research centres, innovative technology companies, and financial entities who wish to collaborate with the defence industry.
With a strong emphasis on advanced dual-use technologies, it will be at the forefront of driving innovation and, hopefully, promoting security. As the Hellenic Defence Systems Research and Development Support Authority evolves, we can expect to see developments that will contribute to both national defence, as well as innovative growth.
The integration of Big Data and Artificial Intelligence has the potential to allow us to process vast amounts of information in real-time, leading to more informed decision-making.
Sustainable and energy-efficient solutions in military operations are crucial for several reasons. Adopting such practices reduces the reliance on fossil fuels, which not only decreases the military’s carbon footprint, but also enhances operational effectiveness by reducing the need for frequent refueling.
Integrating sustainable and energy-efficient solutions into military operations, not only benefits the environment, but also enhances operational readiness and long-term resilience.
We find ourselves at a crossroads of technological advancements and the ever-evolving world.
Greek researchers are already innovating and producing ideas that can, in the near future, lead to standard applications and services, hopefully, at a global level. Through innovative solutions, we have the potential to significantly bolster our capabilities in various sectors. Including, of course, defence, border control, search and rescue operations, environmental monitoring, and scientific research.
Today, during this excellently organized event, we had the opportunity to listen to experts discuss innovation and new technologies. We all recognize the immense potential of innovation and new technologies.
Within this exciting new field lies a great responsibility for us to decide how to properly apply these advancements. Even in the defence sector, new technologies and innovation must be developed to reinforce our deterrent power. It is crucial for the preservation of peace and security, as well as the well-being of our societies.
Thank you for your attention.
Mr. Dendias presented the 1st StartSmart SEE 2023 Accelerator Award for the programme of the Optimens Smart Energy team. The award was received by Aggelina Bitoundi. The rest of the team members are Dimitris Karanassos, Lambros Zyglakis, Christos Tibalexis, and Spyros Kopolas.
The Greech Technological Etrepreneurship Forum (GTEF) was founded in August 2013 by entrepreneurs and personnel of various enterprises. As a non-profit organisation, GTEF the Greek capital of MIT, Enterprise Forum (MITEF), which is connected to Massachussets Institute of Technology (MIT), through MIT Technology Review.
