The mandatory participation of the Greek defense industry at a rate of at least 25% in every armament program now constitutes a strategic choice of the government for strengthening domestic production and the country's defense self-sufficiency, Deputy Minister of National Defence, Thanasis Davakis, stated in the context of the Athens Defence Conference organized by the Delphi Economic Forum, in cooperation with the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP).
Mr. Davakis argued that international security is at a critical turning point and that modern deterrence does not depend exclusively on the size of the armed forces, but on the overall readiness of a state. “Deterrence now concerns an entire ecosystem of readiness,” he said, presenting three main pillars on which the national strategy must be built.
The first pillar is endurance and resilience. As he stressed, “modern deterrence starts from the rear,” is based on technology, strong supply chains, and a country's ability to withstand prolonged crises. Referring to the war in Ukraine, he noted that it highlighted the new form of warfare and proved that “deterrence is not measured only by the size of the army, but by a country's strategic ability to withstand prolonged pressures.”
The second pillar, according to him, is the synchronization of all operational capabilities. “Modern operations require synchronization in all domains, while electronic warfare is now an absolute necessity. Real deterrence lies in absolute synchronization,” he underlined.
As a third pillar, he highlighted the long-term economic sustainability of defense. In this context, he stressed that the Greek defense industry participates institutionally with a rate of at least 25% in every armament and defense program. “It constitutes a strategic investment in national capabilities and in shaping a stronger production ecosystem,” he said, while also pointing out the role of the Hellenic Center for Defence Innovation (ELKAK) as a catalyst for linking research with the defense industry.
He focused on the need to strengthen international partnerships, noting that modern deterrence requires “less fragmentation and more cohesion.” He referred to the contacts he had with Saudi Arabia, as well as the partnerships Greece is developing with European countries, such as the co-production of microsatellites with Poland, arguing that these initiatives turn strategy into tangible results.
“Deterrence is the art of ensuring that a conflict will never happen. It requires endurance, integration of multiple capabilities, and economic foresight,” he concluded.
For her part, ELIAMEP Director General, Elena Lazarou, described the Athens Defence Conference as the starting point of a broader effort for cooperation among the state, the academic community, businesses, and research institutions. As she said, security requires a holistic approach and a shared vision, with the aim of resilient societies and a more peaceful world.
She underlined that deterrence and defense presuppose investment, research, and technological innovation, while also presenting the new Defence Research Hub created by ELIAMEP. As she noted, technology is now the common denominator that connects all sectors of defense and strengthens the competitiveness of the European economy.