The Greek government is moving to develop a new innovation hub for the defense sector, part of a multibillion euro defense modernization program that will support the country’s growing geostrategic role in the region.

The new R&D hub − the Hellenic Center for Defense Innovation − will partner with private companies with the aim of developing a defense innovation ecosystem; both for the benefit of the Greek armed forces and for the country overall. The Ministry of Defense will also establish a new information technology corps to upgrade Greece’s defenses against cyber threats.

With wars to the east and to the north, Greece has taken on a new geostrategic significance. The country has become a staging point for the Western alliance and a valued partner in the region. Already a regional technology hub, Greece is also becoming a pillar of stability in Southeast Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean.

Traditionally, Greece has spent more than most NATO members for defense, regularly exceeding the Alliance’s goal of 2% of GDP. And in the last five years, the Greek government has engaged in a €13 billion defense modernization program. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited the French shipyard that is building three next generation frigates for the Greek Navy as part of that modernization program.

Amid global uncertainly, defense spending around the world has been skyrocketing and the European Union is developing its first ever industrial strategy for the defense industry. The strategy aims to promote cross-border collaboration between European defense companies, providing further growth and export opportunities for Greek defense manufacturers.

Over the last several years, Enterprise Greece has been stepping up its support for Greek exporters of defense materiel by organizing their participation at the world’s major defense exhibitions. Greek companies are leading producers of defense-related equipment like submarine batteries, night vision systems, drones and select other hi-tech applications.