Tasos Rozolis (SEKPY) at DEFEA 2026: The Urgent Need for Institutional Shielding of the Greek Defense Industry

In the context of the DEFEA 2026 conference, held at a critical geopolitical juncture for the Eastern Mediterranean and Europe, the President of the Association of Hellenic Defense Materiel Manufacturers (SEKPY), Mr. Tasos Rozolis, delivered a loud and clear message to the political leadership and international partners. His keynote speech was not limited to observations but moved forward with specific proposals aimed at transforming Greece from a simple buyer of weapon systems into a significant producer and technological hub.

Mr. Rozolis emphasized that the defense industry is not just a sector of the economy, but a pillar of national sovereignty. With Greece's defense spending at historically high levels due to the extensive modernization program of the Armed Forces, the issue of domestic added value is now imperative. "We cannot continue to export foreign exchange without importing know-how and industrial work," he noted characteristically.

Institutionalizing the 25% Minimum Threshold

The most specific and perhaps most critical proposal by Mr. Rozolis concerns the institutional consolidation of the participation of the Greek defense industry at a rate of at least 25% of the value of every new armament contract. This "golden percentage," as it was discussed in the halls of DEFEA, is not an arbitrary demand, but a practice followed by almost all countries with serious defense infrastructure (e.g., France, Israel, Turkey).

According to the President of SEKPY, mandatory Industrial Participation (IP) will act as a catalyst for three key areas:

• Economic Growth: Returning a significant portion of national resources to the domestic economy, creating high-skill jobs, and boosting GDP.
• Technological Upgrade: Transfer of technology from major foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to Greek Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), allowing them to integrate into global supply chains.
• Security of Supply: Ensuring that maintenance, support, and future upgrades of systems can be done within the borders, without dependence on the moods or delays of foreign governments.

The Need for a Permanent and Central Government Structure

Another key parameter of Mr. Rozolis's speech was the criticism of the existing administrative structure managing the defense industry. Today, responsibilities are scattered between the Ministry of National Defense (GDAEE), the Ministry of Development, and the Ministry of Finance. This fragmentation often leads to bureaucratic bottlenecks, delays in licensing, and a lack of a unified national strategy.

SEKPY proposes the creation of a permanent government structure—ideally a Sub-Ministry of Defense Industry or a powerful Secretariat reporting directly to the Prime Minister—which will have the exclusive task of designing and implementing national defense industrial policy. "We need an interlocutor who understands the language of the market and the needs of defense simultaneously," Mr. Rozolis said, pointing out that the defense industry requires long-term planning that transcends electoral cycles.

Innovation and the AI Challenge

Looking to the future, DEFEA 2026 highlighted the rapid integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and autonomous systems in the modern battlefield. Mr. Rozolis stressed that the Greek industry possesses the human capital to lead in these areas, provided there is an appropriate funding framework for Research and Development (R&D).

Connecting Greek universities and research centers with defense production is a strategic goal. The President of SEKPY called on the government to strengthen incentives for private investment in innovation, underlining that low-cost "smart" systems (such as drones and anti-drone systems) are the area where Greece can gain a competitive advantage, avoiding competition in massive and expensive platform programs.

"The defense industry is not a cost; it is an investment in our freedom and our prosperity. The 25% is not a favor; it is the minimum debt to the national economy."

Closing his speech, Mr. Rozolis expressed optimism for the future, noting that the Greek defense industry has proven its resilience during the crisis years. However, he warned that the "window of opportunity" opened by current armament programs will not stay open forever. The time for institutional breakthroughs is now, so that DEFEA 2028 finds Greece not just as a hospitable host, but as a strong player on the international defense chessboard.