A series of new defence-system presentations, corporate meetings and procurement developments has been recorded in recent days across the Hellenic General Staffs and the General Directorate for Defence Investments and Armaments. The agenda includes the protection of Leopard 2A6HEL tanks, armament and support for the F-35, upgrades for G3 rifles, the future modernization of the Roussen-class fast attack craft and new underwater-surveillance technologies.
Rafael presents active protection system for Leopard 2A6HEL tanks
An official Hellenic Ministry of National Defence announcement on a presentation by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems to Hellenic Army General Staff officers is of particular interest. The briefing concerned the installation of an Active Protection System, or APS, on Greece’s Leopard 2A6HEL main battle tanks.
Representatives of Rafael, KNDS Hellas, KNDS Deutschland and M-Technologies took part. The official announcement did not identify a specific APS model or report a procurement decision, but it records a new and specific engagement concerning enhanced protection for the Leopard 2A6HEL fleet.
Hellenic Defence Systems and CZ present G3 upgrade components
A new development has also emerged concerning the Hellenic Army’s standard individual weapon. Hellenic Defence Systems presented components for upgrading the G3 rifle to Army General Staff officers on September 7.
HDS chief executive Christoforos Boutsikakis and two CZ representatives participated. The announcement does not describe the final conversion package or link the presentation to a decision on a broad new upgrade program. Nevertheless, CZ’s presence alongside HDS makes the meeting particularly relevant to the future of the Army’s individual weapon.
F-35 and beyond: Aircraft arresting systems from TERRA SPATIUM and Curtiss-Wright
Another new meeting at the Hellenic Air Force General Staff focused on the infrastructure required for the introduction of Greece’s F-35s.
Representatives of TERRA SPATIUM and Curtiss-Wright briefed personnel from the Air Force General Staff, the Hellenic Tactical Air Force Command, the Air Support Command and the 206th Air Infrastructure Wing on aircraft arresting systems for the F-35. Upgraded arresting systems for aircraft already operated by the Hellenic Air Force were also presented, together with maintenance and support services.
JSM: Kongsberg briefs Air Force General Staff and Tactical Air Force Command
A meeting with Kongsberg personnel was also held at the Air Force General Staff, with officers from both the General Staff and Tactical Air Force Command participating.
The briefing covered the latest developments involving the Joint Strike Missile for the F-35. The meeting is particularly significant because it directly concerns a strike weapon designed for the fifth-generation fighter, although the Ministry of National Defence announcement did not state that Greece has made a procurement decision.
Lockheed Martin briefs Air Force General Staff on use of F-16 equipment
A separate meeting took place between Lockheed Martin representatives and the relevant Air Force General Staff officers. The officially disclosed subject was the “potential use of F-16 aircraft equipment.”
The brief announcement did not specify which equipment was examined or the particular program in which it could be used. It likely concerns equipment made available through the upgrade of F-16 Block 52+ and Block 52+ Advanced aircraft to the Viper standard, potentially for use on the Block 50 fleet.
Naval Group and Hellenic Navy discuss Roussen mid-life upgrade
In the naval sector, a Naval Group delegation visited the Hellenic Navy General Staff for discussions on the mid-life upgrade program for the Roussen-class fast attack missile craft.
The meeting involved Naval Group personnel responsible for naval systems, services and the SETIS combat-management system. The announcement is especially important because it confirms that the Roussen modernization is now the subject of official contacts between the Hellenic Navy General Staff and a major European naval shipbuilder.
INZPIRE presents GECO Mission Support System to Army and Air Force
British company INZPIRE presented its GECO Mission Support System to officers from the Hellenic Army and Air Force General Staffs.
Personnel from the defence section of the British Embassy in Athens also took part. The presentation specifically concerned the GECO air mission-planning system, adding another mission-planning and operational-support solution to the technologies being examined by the Greek staffs.
Underwater surveillance with DAS and quantum cryptography
A particularly noteworthy technology presentation was delivered on September 10 by COSMOTE-TELEKOM, together with Nokia and Satways, to officers from all four branches: the Hellenic National Defence, Army, Navy and Air Force General Staffs.
The proposals involved underwater-surveillance solutions using dual-use Distributed Acoustic Sensing technology, as well as quantum cryptography. The participation of officers from across the Armed Forces demonstrates the joint interest generated by these technologies, although no procurement program has been announced.
Underwater training targets: Financial bids opened
At the General Directorate for Defence Investments and Armaments, tender 01/26 moved to another stage in support of anti-submarine warfare training through underwater training targets.
The financial bids submitted by FOXTROT M.I.K.E. and TERRA SPATIUM S.A. were opened on September 7. The tender is intended to address operational training requirements through Underwater Training Targets.
Greece and Cyprus discuss SAFE, defence industry and new technologies
The defence industry was also central to Defence Minister Nikos Dendias’ meeting with Cypriot Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas. Dendias briefed the Cypriot side on the progress of the “Agenda 2030” reforms, emphasizing the development of innovative products and the use of advanced technologies in defence.
The two sides placed particular emphasis on cooperation through the European Union’s SAFE instrument and on developing Europe’s defence industry. GDDIA has also scheduled an EDIP Info Day and a Greece-Cyprus Defence Industry Day in Athens for September 24, including organized business-to-business meetings between companies and institutions.
Greece-UAE and Greece-India contacts on defence and technology
As part of the Defence Ministry’s international contacts, Deputy Defence Minister Thanasis Davakis met the United Arab Emirates’ deputy defence minister, with defence, security and technology forming the principal areas of discussion.
On the same day, Davakis met the Indian ambassador in Athens. According to the ministry, the two sides examined specific ways to deepen relations, with an emphasis on defence, security and especially the defence industry.
Even the smallest F-35 details come under scrutiny
Among the smaller but characteristic preparations for the F-35 was a video conference between Air Force General Staff officers and ROOSSIEN concerning an access ladder for the cockpit of the new fighter.
It may be a very small component compared with the aircraft and its armament, but the meeting illustrates the full range of infrastructure and ground equipment that must be examined before a new fighter type can become fully operational.
