The armed forces of our country are becoming even more modernized, following the signing of 4 contracts by the Hellenic Center for Defense Innovation (HCDI) – the first for 2026 – as a result of extensive field tests conducted in collaboration with the Armed Forces during the inter-service exercise “PARMENION”.
Of the four contracts signed by HCDI, one is with the Research Center for Technological Development and Innovation (RCTDI) of the General Staff and the other three with private companies of the Greek defense ecosystem.
Armed forces: 4 new contracts signed – What they cover
These contracts relate to the development of kamikaze drones by RCTDI and the construction of domestic systems for three types of Category I unmanned combat aircraft (UCAV), with a clear focus on their immediate utilization by the Armed Forces.
The signing of new contracts will follow in the immediate future, within the framework of the programmatic cycle for implementing national Research and Development projects. The implementation of these new contracts signals the transition to an innovative, sustainable model for developing and producing operational cutting-edge technology products for the Armed Forces. Essentially, this marks the development of the defense innovation ecosystem, which serves as a catalyst for connecting research with production, Greek industry and the Armed Forces. It also highlights the role of HCDI as a strategic bridge between the real operational needs of the Armed Forces and the Greek defense innovation ecosystem.
Dendias: “The unstable geopolitical environment highlights the role of innovation and cutting-edge technologies”
Defense Minister Nikos Dendias has repeatedly emphasized the enormous importance he attributes to HCDI: “The unstable geopolitical environment and conflicts in the broader region highlight the role of innovation and cutting-edge technologies. At the Ministry of National Defense, we already ‘read’ clearly in 2023 the times that are coming. One of the most emblematic changes at the Ministry of National Defense that took place within the framework of ‘Agenda 2030’ was the creation of HCDI and the development of a domestic defense ecosystem, with the goal of developing our technological capabilities. It was our answer to the questions posed by the new era with the creation, for the first time in Greece, of an integrated defense innovation system.”
