On October 17, 2023, MBDA France and MILTECH HELLAS SA signed a contract for the manufacturing of cables for the ASTER and EXOCET launching units. This contract is the next step in the cooperation between the two companies after the signature of the R&D contract (MBDA—MILTECH— University of Patras) in 2022.

This contract is beneficial for both MBDA France, which actively increases its footprint in Greece, in the frame of both Hellenic Industrial Participation plans and the bilateral defense agreement signed by France and Greece in September 2021, and MILTECH,

which dynamically enters MBDA France’s supply chain, with prospects for expanding/deepening the areas of cooperation in the coming months.

MBDA and MILTECH have signed an R&D contract in the field of novel infrared stealth materials for military applications, in collaboration with the University of Patras.

This contract falls under the co-operation programme associated with the FDI HN (Defence and Intervention Frigates for the Hellenic Navy), and supports European efforts towards independence in the defence industrial base.

Eric Béranger, CEO of MBDA, and Dimitrios Dimitriou, Naval and EU Projects Manager of MILTECH, today 18 October, at EURONAVAL 2022, signed the contract in the presence of M. Nikos Chardalias, Greek Deputy Minister of National Defence, and Admiral Aristeidis Alexopoulos, Director General of GDDIA (General Directorate For Defense Investments And Armaments).

The R&D project’s objective is to explore novel photonic nanocomposite materials, advanced IR nanophotonic metamaterial structures and their utilization. The project will rely on the technical competencies mastered by MILTECH in the field of stealth IR and the expertise of the University of Patras in micro/nanophase, molecular, hybrid and bio-phase materials and related technologies.

Eric Béranger, CEO of MBDA, declared: “The contract that we’ve signed today with MILTECH is a perfect example of how we champion innovation and co-operation at MBDA. By moving forward in the research of deeply innovative and disruptive technologies we have also reinforced for the long term the historical partnership we have built with Greece”.

MBDA has supported the Greek Land, Marine and Air forces for over 25 years which has allowed the creation of many collaborations with Greek Defence companies, as well as the identification of particular competencies in several advanced technologies.

This is the reason why MBDA started advanced negotiations with several companies (INTRACOM, AKMON, ELFON, TEMMA, DASYC, SSA, HAI and MEVACO) to set up industrial co-operation projects, including competency transfers, for the benefit of the Greek armed forces.

The purpose of these co-operation programmes, associated with contracts such as providing the FDI HN frigates with missile systems, is to directly embed selected Greek companies in MBDA’s supply chain. By doing so they can benefit from the opportunities that future international contracts represent in the long term.

On the 17th of June 2021, the Defense Attaché of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Greece, Staff Brigadier General Jassim Shurafa, was welcomed at the offices and production plant of Miltech Hellas S.A. by the Vice President, Mr. Ioannis Kalyvas.

The Defense Attaché of UAE received a short briefing about Miltech Hellas mission, structure, and opportunities for cooperation in research and development programs between the defense industries of Greece and the UAE.

The visit involved a guided tour of the state-of-the-art manufacturing and R&D facilities of the company with highly qualified personnel and the superiority of its operations, empowering trust and interest for future industrial cooperations.