Deputy Defence Minister Nikolaos Hardalias meets with the French Minister of the Armed Forces in Paris – Twelve contracts signed between Greek defence materiel companies and[...]

Home >Deputy Minister Photo Gallery> Deputy Defence Minister Nikolaos Hardalias meets with the French Minister of the Armed Forces in Paris - Twelve contracts signed between Greek defence materiel companies and the French NAVAL GROUP, MBDA & THALES

Deputy Defence Minister Nikolaos Hardalias meets with the French Minister of the Armed Forces in Paris - Twelve contracts signed between Greek defence materiel companies and the French NAVAL GROUP, MBDA & THALES

October 19, 2022

The Deputy Minister of National Defence Mr. Nikolaos Hardaliashad a meeting yesterday, on Tuesday 18 October 2022, with the French Minister of the Armed Forces Mr. Sébastien Lecornuat the Greek Pavilion on the sidelines of the "EURONAVAL 2022" World Naval Defence Exhibition that is held from 18 to 21 October 2022 at the "Paris Le Bourget" exhibition centre in Paris.

In a very cordial atmosphere, Messrs. Hardalias and Lecornu confirmed the excellent relationship between both countries, being members of the EU and NATO allies, which was further strengthened by the conclusion of the Strategic Partnership Agreement for Cooperation in Defence and Security between Greece and France in Paris last September.

It is the first time that our country participates with a national pavilion in "EURONAVAL 2022" World Exhibition, which is organized by the Hellenic Manufacturers' of Defence Material Association under the auspices of the Ministry of National Defence and the Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy, with the support of the Enterprise Greece agency, the Greek - French Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Hellenic Marine Equipment Manufacturers and Exporters (HEMEXPO).

Twelve Greek defence companies participate in this particularly important exhibition, one of the largest of its kind in the world, aiming at publicizing and promoting the Greek Defence Industry at such an important point in time when the major defence programme for Belharra frigates is currently being implemented, while additional programmes for the reinforcement of the Greek Navy are underway.

The following companies participate in our National Pavilion: AKMON, ARPEDON, EMMIS, FARAD, FEAC ENGINEERING, MEVACO, MILTECH, ROTA, SCYTALIS, SSMART, STELMA and 8 BELLS RESEARCH. The Deputy Minister of National Defence had a tour at the stands of Greek Companies, talked to their representatives and was updated by each participating exhibitor.

A total of twelve contracts were signed in the presence of Mr. Hardalias between Greek defence materiel companies and the French "NAVAL GROUP" represented by Ms. Anne Quillon- Director of Procurement, Sourcing and Supplier Management, "THALES" represented by Mr. Hervé Dammann - Vice Chairman and "MBDA" represented by Mr. Eric Béranger- Managing Director.

The Deputy Minister of National Defence, Mr. Nikolaos Hardalias, representing the Hellenic Republic and the Ministry of National Defence, inaugurated the Greek Pavilion at the Exhibition.

The inauguration ceremony of the Greek Pavilion has been attended by the Ambassador of Greece in France Mr. Dimitrios Zevelakis, the Chief HNGS Vice Admiral Stylianos Petrakis- representing also the Chief HNDGS General Konstantinos Floros, the Chief of the Hellenic Coast Guard Vice Admiral Georgios Alexandrakis, the Director of the General Directorate of Defence Investments and Armaments (GDDIA) Vice Admiral (ret.) Aristides Alexopoulos, the Vice Chairman of GICAN Group (Groupement des Industries de Construction et Activités Navales) Mr. Louis Le Pivain, the Chairman of the Hellenic Manufacturers' of Defence Material Association Mr. Anastasios Rozolis, the Chairman of the Greek-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mr. Laurent Thuillier, the Senior Advisor and Executive Director of Enterprise Greece Ms. Betty Alexandropoulouand the Managing Director of FARAD Mr. Konstantinos Fanouriadis, representing HEMEXPO.

Within the framework of the inauguration event of the Greek Pavilion, the Deputy Minister of National Defence gave the following address:

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I would particularly like to thank you for welcoming me and I am very pleased to be here with you today.

It is extremely important for me to attend this exhibition, in which Greece participates for the first time. I would like to congratulate the Hellenic Manufacturers' of Defence Material Association, the Greek-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Enterprise Greece, as well as the Hellenic Marine Equipment Manufacturers and Exporters (HEMEXPO) for the organization of the Greek Pavilion under the auspices of the Ministry of National Defence and the Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy. Greece's participation in this prominent exhibition is a further proof of the trend over time and the vanguard of Greek people in the maritime sector, but also of the manifest extroversion that characterizes the Greek defence industry.

Ladies and Gentlemen, as you well know, on September 28^th2021, the President of the French Republic and the Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic concluded the "Strategic Partnership Agreement for Cooperation in Defence and Security". This landmark agreement includes a specific provision on the enhancement of the cooperation between the defence industries of both countries. In this context, this exhibition is an excellent opportunity for us to reaffirm the excellent ties between Athens and Paris in the field of defence, as well as to further develop the relationship between our defence industries.

The Hellenic Armed Forces have a long tradition of using French weapon systems. The recent procurement of Belharra frigates is the most recent example of the timeless and crucial convergence between our countries in the fields of defence, economy and foreign policy. Furthermore, it is a complex project that involves many stakeholders, aiming at delivering an end productthat will hopefully be the spearhead of our Navy. These ships, along with the rest Greek and French naval forces, will form the best guarantors of peace, security and stability at the European Union's eastern sea borders.

Moreover, Greece's participation in this leading exhibition on defence and security in the maritime sector serves another purpose as well. It provides the opportunity for some of the most eminent Greek defence companies to present their products and their areas of expertise, but also to explore new investment opportunities. The Greek defence industry declares its presence, after the emergence of the Greek economy from the crisis and its recent exit from the EU enhanced surveillance regime, as well as the official end of the 12-year Memorandum period. Its representatives, strongly and consistently supported by the Government, are ready to prove the defence industry's capabilities, as well as the products that prove the inherent tendency of the Greek people towards innovation. Therefore, I would like to urge our guests to meet our exhibitors and become familiarized with their products.

Concluding, I would like to invite you all to the 2^ndedition of Defence Exhibition Athens (DEFEA) that will be held from 9 to 11 of May 2023 in Athens.

Thank you for your time. Greece - France: Alliance!".

The Deputy Minister of National Defence had also a tour at all other national Pavilions, accompanied by the Ambassador of Greece in France, the Chief HNGS, the GDDIA General Director and the Defence Attaché of Greece in Paris.

Finally, Mr. Hardalias had a meeting with the Chairman and Managing Director of NAVAL GROUP Mr. Pierre Eric Pommellet, the Chairman and General Manager of THALES Mr. Patrice Caine, the Managing Director of MBDA Mr. Eric Bérangerand the Chairman of FINCANTIERI Mr. DarioDeste, while he also met Government officials, heads of companies and entities of the Naval Defence Sector of participating states.