The Minister highlighted the major changes brought about by the “2030 Agenda” to the Greek Armed Forces, as well as the importance of technology and innovation, were highlighted by Minister of National Defense Nikos Dendias, speaking at the meeting of the Board of Directors of the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACC), at the invitation of its president, Yannis Hatzitheodosiou.
During the meeting, Mr. Dendias briefed the members of the EEA Board of Directors on the implementation of the “Agenda 2030,” as well as the growth prospects for the domestic defense industry through the utilization of innovation and cutting-edge technology, according to the relevant announcement.
Also present was the president of the General Confederation of Greek Small Businesses and Traders (GSEVEE), George Kavvathas.
The role of ELKAK and the new era in defense
The minister spoke at length about the Hellenic Center for Defense Innovation (ELKAK), emphasizing that it was created with a clear mission to connect the Armed Forces with the Greek innovation ecosystem.
“Our two major needs are, on the one hand, to usher in a new era for the Armed Forces and, on the other hand, to address one of the key reasons that led the country to bankruptcy in 2010— the balance of payments deficit,” he noted.
As he explained, modern Armed Forces no longer rely solely on personnel and weapon systems, but on the ability to collect, transmit, process, and utilize information in real time.
“Today, the Armed Forces must be a mechanism for gathering intelligence—that is, information—transmitting it reliably, processing it, prioritizing it, and recommending the optimal response,” he stated.
Technology is the great equalizer
Mr. Dendias emphasized that technology is now the decisive factor in power.
“The threat facing this system is ten times greater than ours. Therefore, technology must become the great equalizer,” he stressed.
At the same time, he explained that purchasing expensive weapons systems without access to their development and evolution codes is no longer sufficient.
“If you don’t acquire production codes, the source code, and don’t have the ability to evolve the system, after a few months you’ll put it on the shelf,” he noted.
As he stated, the country must acquire the capability to produce critical technologies, such as drones, anti-drone systems, border surveillance audio systems, cameras, and infrared systems.
The “Centaur” anti-drone system
Referring to the reforms being implemented, the minister highlighted the creation of new structures such as the Information Technology Corps and the Innovation Directorate.
He made special mention of the “Centaur” anti-drone system.
“We built it ourselves, at half the cost of what it would have cost to buy, with the source code in our possession. It was first tested covertly and then openly in combat conditions, and today it is the primary anti-drone tool of the Greek frigates,” he said.
Opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises
Mr. Dendias emphasized that opportunities for cooperation with ELKAK are not limited to companies in the defense sector.
“There is the concept of dual use. Most products today are multi-purpose. So the ecosystem we can tap into is much broader than it used to be,” he noted.
As he explained, ELKAK funds innovative ideas and supports startups, filling a gap that the banking system often cannot cover.
“We must help young people and small businesses produce solutions and prototypes that will strengthen both National Defense and the Greek economy,” he emphasized.
The minister emphasized that the goal is to reinvest defense spending in the domestic economy.
“We have the best human capital available. We are using public funds to act as a multiplier within the Greek economy. We have set a limit of 25% of every procurement to be invested in Greek companies,” he said.
As he explained, even in major defense platforms, the goal is to ensure that value is returned to Greek production and innovation.
The goal is the strongest Armed Forces in the history of Hellenism
Concluding his remarks, Nikos Dendias reiterated that “Agenda 2030” aims to create “the strongest Armed Forces in the history of Hellenism.”
As he noted, the reform is not only about acquiring weapons systems, but also about building capabilities for survival, modernizing technologies, fostering domestic innovation, and reinvesting defense spending into the Greek economy.
“Only in this way can we create the virtuous model that will help us confront the very real, manifest, and articulated threat against the constitutional boundaries of Hellenism,” he concluded.