Greece–France defence push targets joint EU industry projects
Greece and France are moving beyond traditional defense agreements toward deeper industrial cooperation, with a focus on joint production and long-term collaboration. The shift was underscored during the Greece-France Economic Forum in Athens, held alongside the visit of Emmanuel Macron.
According to AMNA, discussions centered not just on security, but on building a stronger and more competitive European defense industrial base through practical cooperation.
Building a unified European defence base
A key priority is overcoming fragmentation in Europe’s defense market. Despite strong technical expertise, limited coordination and differing standards continue to hinder large-scale competitiveness.
Industry leaders stressed that closer alignment—through joint procurement, shared supply chains and coordinated programs—is essential to achieving Europe’s defense ambitions.
Industry leaders highlight cooperation success
Christian Hadjiminas pointed out that Europe’s main challenge is organizational, not technological. He emphasized that fair industrial participation and strategic partnerships are critical, noting that existing Greek-French collaborations have already generated hundreds of millions of euros in exports.
From France, Pierre Éric Pommellet highlighted the growing role of Greek industry, particularly in naval projects, as part of a long-term partnership strategy.
Meanwhile, Nicolas Groult stressed that cross-border cooperation—such as the “Philoctetes” program—strengthens both operational capabilities and Europe’s technological base.
Greece seeks equal role in major programs
Evangelos Mytilineos underlined that Greece is capable of acting as an equal industrial partner. However, he noted that in major projects like frigate programs, earlier involvement of domestic industry could have increased local value.
Toward co-development and strategic autonomy
Looking ahead, cooperation is expected to evolve into more complex co-development and co-production frameworks. Greek companies are likely to take on more significant roles—not just as subcontractors, but as full technology partners.
This transition aligns with broader European trends, including rising defense spending and the push for strategic autonomy, positioning Greece as an increasingly important player in the continent’s defense landscape.
Source:AMNA
