Hellenic News Update 01-04-2025

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Metlen deal with Iveco on Defense Ministry program - March 31, 2025
Athens-listed group Metlen announced on Monday that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Iveco Defence Vehicles (IDV), establishing an exclusive partnership for their joint participation in a Greek state procurement program for military vehicles for the army, navy, and air force. The upcoming program, announced by the Ministry of National Defense, aims to renew the fleet of both protected and unprotected military trucks across all three branches of the Hellenic Armed Forces. The agreement brings together IDV, one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of military trucks and combat vehicles, and Metlen, which recently expanded its defense hub in Volos, central Greece. Read more

Metlen strengthens its role in providing critical raw materials to the European market - March 28, 2025
The approval of 47 investment projects by the EU Commission concerning critical raw materials within the framework of the CRM Act strategy by the member states, which include Metlen’s vertically integrated project for bauxite mining, the expansion of the alumina production unit and the production of 50 MT of gallium, are expected to affect the sectors of mining and metallurgy in Europe and Greece, especially when the company’s production potential is expanded to scandium and germanium. However, challenges remain and measures are needed to consolidate and confirm in practice the climate of optimism that is being established, as sector representatives emphasized. Read more

Greece ambitiously eyes homegrown UAVs - March 28, 2025
The Hellenic Center for Defense Innovation (HCDI - ELKAK) announced a new program on Thursday aimed at bolstering domestic production of unmanned systems. The tender calls for the development of a cargo unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) intended for multiple-use applications – military, commercial and humanitarian. According to HCDI the UAV “will ensure rapid and precise delivery of supplies, especially in remote or inaccessible areas where conventional means are neither feasible nor efficient,” reducing personnel exposure to danger while enhancing operational flexibility. The tender, valued at €24 million, requires the procurement of four systems. Read more

Greece might acquire two Bergamini-class frigates from Italy following FREMM EVO commissioning - March 24, 2025
As reported by Doureios on March 23, 2025, Italy has formally notified Greece of the availability of two FREMM-class frigates, the Carlo Bergamini (F 590) and Virginio Fasan (F 591), for potential transfer after 2028. The information, first conveyed to the Greek side earlier this year, is currently under review by the Ministry of National Defence. These discussions are linked to the Italian Navy’s fleet modernization, which includes the replacement of older Bergamini-class frigates with new FREMM EVO units scheduled for delivery in 2029 and 2030. This offer marks a continuation of Greece’s broader effort to address gaps in surface combatant capabilities by supplementing its fleet with both new and used ships. Read more

Israeli Barak and German IRIS-T systems for Greek air defense - March 24, 2025
The European Commission’s Readiness 2030 defense initiative, designed to strengthen the military capabilities of EU member states, has ushered in a new strategic dimension to Greece’s armament planning. Brussels’ decision to enhance Europe’s defense readiness expands Greece’s options, offering its political and military leadership an opportunity to reassess procurement strategies. Until recently, Greece was expected to rely solely on the Israeli market for its multilayered air defense system, known as the Achilles Shield. However, a source contacted by Kathimerini has revealed that a European proposal involving IRIS-T missiles is now under serious consideration to replace the Russian-made SHORADS OSA and TOR-M1 short-range anti-aircraft systems. Read more

Berlin pursues role in Greek air defense plans - March 22, 2025
Germany has reaffirmed its interest in Greece’s air defense initiatives, as German Ambassador to Greece Andreas Kindl and Defense Attache Colonel Janus Kaschta visited the offices of Endeavor Integrated Solutions, the company promoting Berlin’s IRIS-T missile system for Athens’ multilayered air defense project, dubbed “Achilles’ Shield.” The visit on March 12 included representatives from German defense firms Eurospike and Ramsys. According to Endeavor, discussions focused on integrating IRIS-T into Greece’s air defense network via the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI), a NATO-led program. Germany’s defense industry has struggled to gain traction in Greece, as recent major arms deals have largely gone to France, the US and Israel. Read more

Greece prepares third Belharra-class frigate HS Formion for launch at French shipyard - March 21, 2025
As reported by OnAlert on March 19, 2025, the Hellenic Navy is scheduled to launch its third Belharra-class frigate, the HS Formion, on June 4, 2025, at the Naval Group shipyard in Lorient, France. This launch will bring all three Greek-ordered frigates into the water by the end of summer 2025. The first frigate, HS Kimon, launched in October 2023, is currently undergoing outfitting and harbor trials, with sea trials expected to begin later this year. Meanwhile, the second vessel, HS Nearchos, launched in September 2024, is in an advanced stage of construction. While HS Kimon was initially expected to be delivered in early 2025, delivery has been delayed by approximately six to nine months and is now expected in early 2026. Read more

Hellenic Navy in search of second-hand warships - March 19, 2025
Greece is in ongoing discussions with several countries about acquiring second-hand warships, according to sources from the Ministry of Defense. Talks are currently underway with Italy, France, the US, the UK, and the Netherlands, as the Hellenic Navy seeks readily available ships at a low cost. Additionally, negotiations are also taking place with Germany, France, and Sweden for the procurement of new submarines. Regarding Italy’s FREMM-class Bergamini frigates and the lighter-armed PPA vessels, sources indicate that discussions remain in the very early stages, with any substantial negotiations ultimately expected to take place at the political level. Read more

Metlen expands its share in defense market - March 19, 2025
Athens-listed group Metlen is strengthening its presence in the defense sector, claiming a share of the 800-billion-euro market created by the ReaArm Europe strategic plan for the rearmament of the Old Continent. The company is expanding its Volos industrial complex and is forming a defense equipment manufacturing center in Greece. As it announced on Tuesday, it has signed a preliminary agreement to purchase a property of 19,000 square meters within the Volos Industrial Zone A with 5,000 sq.m. factory facilities and is already planning to purchase another adjacent property, covering 8,000 sq.m. These two neighboring plots form a single one with another plot of approximately 32,000 sq.m. that the company acquired in 2023. Read more

Greece to deploy four new French Patroller long-range surveillance drones in the coming months - March 17, 2025
As reported by OnAlert on March 17, 2025, the Hellenic Armed Forces are set to receive four Patroller drones in the coming months, likely by summer, as part of a program valued at approximately €55 million. These unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) will be operated by the Army Aviation and are expected to enhance Greece’s surveillance capabilities over key areas, including the Aegean Sea and Thrace. Greece has chosen two airfields to host the UAVs: Rhodes, at the military airfield in Maritsa, and Chrysoupoli Airport in Kavala. Read more

Mitsotakis to brief the parliament on armaments programme on April 2 - March 14, 2025
Speaking to the press, Parliament President Nikitas Kaklamanis stated that the briefing scheduled for March 27 is being postponed following a request from the leader of the main opposition, Nikos Androulakis, due to his planned trip to the US. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will brief the parliament on the armaments programme and the country's defence policy on April 2 instead of March 27, as initially announced. Speaking to the press, Parliament President Nikitas Kaklamanis stated that the briefing scheduled for March 27 is being postponed following a request from the leader of the main opposition, Nikos Androulakis, due to his planned trip to the US (Greek community events for March 25). Read more

Greece to announce modernization of four Papanikolis-class submarines with new acquisitions under consideration - March 13, 2025
As reported by OnAlert on March 13, 2025, the modernization of the four Papanikolis-class submarines and the procurement of new submarines are among the programs expected to be announced by the Greek Prime Minister in Parliament on March 27, 2025. Concurrently, the first batch of 44 SeaHake Mod4 heavy torpedoes is set to arrive at the Salamis Naval Base in early summer, following significant delays attributed to supply chain disruptions. The Hellenic Navy prioritizes enhancing its submarine fleet to maintain operational capabilities established with the acquisition of four Papanikolis-class submarines, based on the German Type 214, and the modernization of Okeanos (S-118), a Poseidon-class submarine based on the German Type 209. Read more

Greece to spend more than 25 bln euros in arms procurements by 2036 - March 12, 2025
Greece will spend more than 25 billion euros in arms procurements by 2036, including new submarines, drones, satellites and fighter jets, under a 12-year plan to be submitted to parliament in the coming weeks, three officials with knowledge of the plan told Reuters. The move is part of Greece’s bid to modernize its armed forces as it emerges from the 2009-18 debt crisis that led to years of austerity, and as it tries to keep pace with its historic rival Turkey. The two countries are at odds over sea boundaries, energy resources and airspace in the eastern Mediterranean. The new plan will build on recent reforms. Greece, a member of the European Union and NATO, already spends about 3% of its gross domestic product on defense. Read more

12 Years Armament Planning of the Hellenic Armed Forces - March 12, 2025
The new twelve-year armament program of the Hellenic Armed Forces will be presented at the Hellenic Parliament on March 18th. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will make the initial announcements, followed by a more detailed presentation by the Minister of National Defense (MoND), Nikos Dendias. The new armament program, officially referred to as the Long-Term Defense Armament Planning, spans from 2025 to 2037 and encompasses the overall prioritization of all procurement programs of the General Staffs of the Armed Forces. Notably, the specific procurement programs of each branch of the Armed Forces have been prioritized by the institutionally responsible Hellenic National Defense General Staff (HNDGS). Read more

Local defense industries see opportunity in European shift - March 11, 2025
As Europe attempts to wean itself off the US in terms of defense, a relatively small community of Greek businesses are mobilizing to take advantage of the opportunities that are opening up for themselves and for the country. These are approximately 250 mostly small businesses. Among them are the state-owned defense industries Hellenic Defense Systems and Hellenic Aerospace Industries, which are unable to overcome chronic pathologies to become reliable partners of large European groups. Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV) President Spyros Theodoropoulos has called a meeting of the 50 member-companies of the association active in the sector. Read more

Athens welcomes EU endorsement of its defense spending proposals - March 7, 2025
The endorsement of Greek views on securing fiscal flexibility – both in EU documents and in the statement of the European People’s Party (which represents 60% of European governments) – to strengthen defense spending ahead of Thursday’s extraordinary European Council meeting constitutes a series of small diplomatic victories for Athens, which has been advocating for this approach in recent years. The texts acknowledged that military investments should not compromise debt sustainability across all EU nations. The statement also left room for like-minded partners, including the UK, to contribute to Ukraine aid. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis welcomed proposals allowing EU countries spending over 2% of GDP on defense to continue doing so. Read more

Dendias: Announcement of the first two invitations by ELKAK a milestone for the country’s defence capabilities - March 5, 2025
“The announcement by the Hellenic Center for Defence Innovation (HCDI - ELKAK) of the first two invitations to express interest is a milestone for the defence capabilities of our country. Domestic production of defence capabilities is not a potential option for us, but an existential necessity,” noted Defence Minister Nikos Dendias on Tuesday, in relation to the invitation issued by ELKAK. “In this direction,” he added, “the announcement constitutes an important first step towards changing philosophy, but also practice, with the development of the innovation ecosystem.” Read more

Greece eyes additional US drones Greece eyes additional US drones - March 2, 2025
Greece may receive more than the originally agreed 600 US-made Switchblade drones as increased production has lowered costs, defense officials say. The Greek military had secured a deal for Switchblade 300 block 20 and Switchblade 600 loitering munitions worth $75 million, with $50 million funded through the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. However, with manufacturer AeroVironment ramping up production, the US has informed Athens that more drones could be acquired under the existing budget. Talks are under way to expand Greece’s order, as these systems have proven highly effective in Ukraine. Read more

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