Defence Industry “Made in Greece”: from showcase to substance and products

Babis Papaspyros

The Greek defence industry is at a historic turning point. A shift in strategic direction within the European Union, ambitious equipment programs like ReArm Europe and SAFE  , and the evolving geopolitical climate in the region are laying the groundwork for the revival of the domestic defence ecosystem 

However, this revival cannot be built on mock-ups, digital animations, or slick PowerPoint slides. What’s needed are real companies with tangible products, infrastructure, workforce, physical presence, and technological capabilities. 

The era of “showcase companies” and “phantom” firms, which showcase glossy production videos without any actual system, must come to an end 

A Realistic National Roadmap

What the country needs is not grand theoretical constructs or lofty declarations, but a practical, realistic, and measurable national roadmap for upgrading its defence industry. This roadmap should be based on:

• Mapping and assessing Greece’s real production capabilities—not promises or visions, but actual know-how, available infrastructure, and capacity for immediate deployment.
• Activating collaboration ecosystems: Large companies, SMEs, start-ups, universities, and research centers must collaborate in synergy, with clear roles and goals.
• Strengthening the institutional framework for defence R&D, with an emphasis on practical application. A pivotal role in this process should be played by the Hellenic Defence Innovation Centre (EΛKAK), which must act as a bridge between the Ministry of Defence, the industry, and technology, promoting solutions and projects that move from laboratory to field 

Establishing a National Defence Test Field

There should be a national testing environment where all systems, even the most innovative can prove their capabilities in practice. No more remote “office committee” approvals, but real operational evaluation in the field.

Real Players with Real Capabilities

For the Greek defence industry to reorganize effectively, it needs players that are solid meaning companies with:

• Technically skilled personnel
• Manufacturing capacity
• Laboratories, production lines, machinery
• Products or applications that are operational, tested, or at advanced prototype stage 

Transparency, Certification, and Track Record

Eye-catching graphics, futuristic designs, and rendered systems in campaigns and social media should not be criteria for selection or funding. Neither the market nor the Armed Forces needs more “digital saviors” they need reliable partners with tangible work and capabilities now

Everyone Included—but Merit-Based

From traditional industries to tech start-ups and universities, the entire spectrum of domestic talent must be mobilized. However, participation must not be unconditional, the key must be substance, credibility, and implementation capacity 

Large firms carry the weight of experience, certifications, and international collaborations. Smaller firms and start-ups provide flexibility, innovation, and expertise. Universities contribute cutting-edge knowledge. Yet every single entity must be real, transparent, and functional

Europe’s Momentum and Greece’s Role

For the first time, Europe seems to understand the need to develop a serious and self-reliant defence-industrial base. Greece should not remain a passive observer or merely a buyer in this new environment, it must become a partner and co-shaper. Achieving this requires not just promises, but tangible, functional, and ideally exportable products 

In Summary

The Greek defence industry is facing a rare opportunity. But success will not come through wishes or flashy presentations, it will come through hard work, substantiation, substance, and production. The country must support this transition with incentives, institutional tools, and strict quality criteria.

The future of our defence autonomy, technological progress, and national security cannot remain “virtual.” It must become real, tangible, and functional. It’s time to move from theory into practice.

Time for companies with substance.