Greece’s target of ensuring at least 25% domestic participation in new defense procurement programs has emerged as a key industrial development goal. The underlying principle is to ensure that defense spending does not translate solely into imports of weapons systems, but instead fuels local industrial activity—generating high-skilled jobs, attracting investment, and building technical expertise on home soil.
Greek Added Value at the Core
Recent discussions around boosting domestic involvement in defense projects have gained renewed momentum—spurred in part by the inauguration of METLEN’s fourth M Technologies Hub unit in Volos. This investment highlights a strategic shift for the coming years: linking major defense contracts with Greek manufacturing capacity, at a time when Europe is significantly increasing its defense budgets and prioritizing industrial autonomy.
According to industry executives, the aim goes beyond simply involving Greek firms in isolated components or sub-contracts. Rather, it is about cultivating a robust domestic industrial base capable of undertaking full-cycle activities—from production and maintenance to upgrades and the development of next-generation technologies.
Parallel to this, Greek companies are expected to gain greater access to global supply chains of leading defense conglomerates—a move that could strengthen both their technological capabilities and export potential.
METLEN’s Proposal
A notable initiative comes from Evangelos Mytilinaios, CEO and Chairman of METLEN. He proposed that defense procurement programs featuring Greek participation exceeding the 25% threshold be awarded additional evaluation points during tender assessments. The objective is to create stronger incentives for domestic production and deeper integration of Greek firms into large-scale defense projects.
The Volos Example
METLEN’s Volos hub serves as a model for the direction Greece’s defense industry is seeking to take. The M Technologies Hub is being developed as an integrated industrial complex comprising six production units, focused on advanced defense systems and participation in high-tech international defense programs. Its operational model emphasizes high-value-added manufacturing, exports, and collaboration with top-tier global defense companies.
A Call for a Permanent Framework
At the same time, representatives of Greece’s defense industry are urging the government to enshrine the 25% participation rule in permanent, binding legislation. The Hellenic Association of Defense Equipment Manufacturers (SEKPY) told the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (AMNA) that a stable, transparent legal framework—with clear rules and effective enforcement mechanisms—is essential for long-term planning and investor confidence.