The Minister of National Defence Mr. Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos inaugurated today, Tuesday 13 July 2021, the International Defence and Security Exhibition “DEFEA 2021”, held at the “Metropolitan Expo” Exhibition Center, at Spata, until 15 July.

The event was attended by the Deputy Minister of National Defence Mr. Alkiviadis Stefanis, HNDGS/Chief General Konstantinos Floros, HAFGS/Chief Lieutenant General Georgios Blioumis, HAGS/Chief Lieutenant General Charalambos Laloussis and HNGS/Chief Vice Admiral Stylianos Petrakis. The ceremony was also attended by Ministers, Alternate Ministers and Deputy Ministers of the Government, Members of the Parliament, foreign diplomatic delegations members, foreign countries Defence Attachés, representatives of the Regional and Local Self-Administration.

During the inauguration ceremony the Minister addressed the following:

“Ladies and gentlemen,

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to Athens and to the new International Defence Industry-Defence Systems and National Security Exhibition, DEFEA, held under the auspices of the Ministry of National Defence.

I would like to congratulate the President and CEO of ROTA, Mr. Georgios Tsaousoglou, as well as the President of the Hellenic Manufacturers of Defence Material Association (SEKPY), Mr. Anastasios Rozolis, on their initiative to organize the exhibition. This exhibition will project the important potential of the country, both in the defence industry field and in the organization of international range events.

I would also like to welcome my counterpart Ministers, leading members of Defence Industry enterprises, High Officials and distinguished visitors from many countries, who are here today, in Athens, despite the difficulties imposed by the pandemic regarding international travels.

DEFEA is a platform of international contacts, industrial cooperation and information exchange regarding modern technological developments. There is no doubt that through the exhibition, the public will be presented with the most modern defence technology items in the global market, proving once more that the evolution of defence systems is a “driving force” of technology. Government members, Armed Forces chief members from many countries and representatives of the Global Defence Industry are already here, creating outstanding opportunities for communication, cooperation and conclusion of agreements.

I would like to thank all participating companies and the representatives of our strategic partners, for their support and contribution, thanks to which DEFEA became real.

I would like to assure you that ROTA and its members, in close cooperation with the Ministry of National Defence, worked tirelessly to welcome you to Athens safely and under the best possible circumstances, for your successful participation in the Exhibition.

Representing the Hellenic government and the Ministry of National Defence, I would like to point out the importance we attach to the support of the Hellenic Defence Industry.

Powerful Greece means capable Armed Forces, which cannot exist without a competitive defence industry. In this context, we apply a plan which supports the domestic production, from the stage of research and development to the interface of the Hellenic defence industry with the international market. This way, we contribute to the reinforcement of the Hellenic economy and at the same time we reinforce the defence armoring of our Country.

We have achieved, through targeted actions, to indisputably prove that the relation between the Armed Forces and the defence material production companies is not a dependence relation, but rather a relation of respect, cooperation and transparency, which can and must be beneficial for both sides.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I declare the opening of Athens Defence Industry, Defence Systems and National Security International Exhibition and I wish every success to the participants. The participation of industries from 21 countries and the presence of distinguished people from all over the world constitutes a guarantee for its success, the conclusion of mutually beneficial agreements and the establishment of strong and productive cooperations”.

Then, Mr. Panagiotopoulos visited the pavilions of local and international Defence Material Companies, was informed on the exhibits potential and had discussions with high ranking companies’ members.

Earlier today, the Minister of National Defence had bilateral meetings with the Defence Minister of Slovenia Mr. Matej Tonin, the Defence Minister of Portugal Mr. Joao Gomes Cravinho and the Defence Minister of Italy Mr. Lorenzo Guerini.