Emerging and disruptive technologies are changing the world and the way it operates, transforming sectors and industries in their wake. For defense, this brings challenges as well as opportunities, highlighting the need to invest not only in innovative systems and solutions but also in key relationships and collaborations.
Business Partners reached out to Nikolaos Papatsas, Senior Partner at EFA GROUP and Vice President of the Hellenic Aerospace Security and Defense Industries Group (HASDIG), and asked him to share his insights, based on more than 30 years of experience, on the confluence of technology, defense, and security and what this means for Greece’s defense industry.
Tell us a little about your professional journey to becoming Senior Partner at EFA Group and VP of HASDIG.
My journey has been gradual a deliberate progression across various industries rooted in technology and operations. After earning a degree in Computer Science and an M.B.A. in the United States, I began my career in IT management, gaining hands-on experience in building and leading information systems at scale, which proved to be an excellent foundation. From there, I moved into the industrial sector, working in information systems, international operations, and strategic planning, while also doing consulting work with clients in the rapidly evolving financial services and telecoms sectors, which kept me close to technological innovation.
My transition into aerospace and defense came in the mid-1990s when I joined European Finance and Aerospace Ventures (EFA Ventures), based in Athens, Greece. It was a significant shift, but one that made sense given my interest in high-tech industries and international collaboration. Over the years, as EFA Group evolved and expanded, I took on a senior partnership role to help shape the strategy and oversee key group activities and ventures.
My involvement with the Hellenic Aerospace, Defense and Security Industries Group (HASDIG) came naturally because of this work. HASDIG is a platform that represents the largest state and private industries in defense and allows us to collectively advocate for the sector, strengthen partnerships, and align our national capabilities with broader European and global initiatives. Serving as Vice President has been an honor and a responsibility, especially in today’s complex geopolitical environment, where collaboration and innovation in defense are more crucial than ever.
Given today’s complex geopolitical environment our commitment must extend beyond technology and innovation to fortifying transatlantic relations and fostering partnerships between Greek and US companies
What are some challenges and opportunities facing Greece’s defense industries?
The aerospace, defense, and security sectors in Greece are currently navigating a landscape marked by both significant challenges and promising opportunities. Key challenges include geopolitical tensions with Turkey and the regional instability in the Middle East, as well as supply chain disruptions and a shortage of skilled professionals. However, strategic alliances, technological advancements, and Greece’s growing role in regional energy present substantial opportunities for growth and development.
Geopolitical tensions between Greece and Turkey, particularly over territorial disputes in the Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean, necessitate a robust defense posture, which can strain resources. Supply chain disruptions impact the aerospace and defense sectors, leading to delays in the production and maintenance of defense equipment. Additionally, the global shortage of skilled professionals in these industries hinders development and operational efficiency.
On the other hand, Greece’s strategic alliances, particularly with the United States, have strengthened its security and defense capabilities. The adoption of advanced technologies such as AI, unmanned systems, and advanced air mobility solutions presents significant opportunities for improving operational efficiency and defense capabilities. Furthermore, Greece’s role in regional energy is becoming increasingly important, with recent agreements for hydrocarbon exploration highlighting its potential in this area.
Overall, while Greece faces several challenges in the aerospace, defense, and security sectors, there are also substantial opportunities for growth and development, particularly through strategic alliances and technological advancements.
How is innovation transforming defense, and what initiatives is EFA Group undertaking in this regard?
Innovation and technology are the cornerstones of modern defense and security strategies. They drive transformational changes that enhance operational agility, enable predictive decisionmaking, and ensure that military capabilities evolve in step with emerging threats. In our view, continuous investment in innovation is critical—not only to modernize our systems but also to maintain a competitive edge in multi-domain operations.
Our organization is actively undertaking several initiatives to stay at the forefront of technological progress, including cultivating strategic partnerships, investing in R&D, fostering innovation, and embracing digital transformation.
Collaborations with industry partners, OEMs, leading universities, and tech startups enable us to tap into cutting-edge research and accelerate technology transfer. These partnerships are instrumental in developing breakthrough solutions that can be rapidly integrated into systems and enhance our business operational framework.
R&D investments—with a focus on areas such as advanced manufacturing techniques using robotics, AI, autonomous systems, and cyber defense—ensure that our platforms remain at the forefront of technology while becoming more adaptable and capable of addressing future challenges in our sector.
The establishment of dedicated innovation hubs that serve as incubators for new ideas provides an ecosystem for experimentation, prototyping, and scaling technologies that can improve everything from C4ISR and innovations in information dominance to advanced sensors and resultant electronic warfare capabilities.
A digital-first approach allows us to modernize our legacy systems to enhance interoperability, data analytics, and real-time decisionmaking across all operational domains.
Overall, our commitment to innovation and technology not only shapes the future of our industry but also reinforces our mission to ensure security and operational excellence in an ever-changing global landscape.
What is your view on AmCham Greece’s contribution to strengthening transatlantic ties and business partnerships?
The American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce plays a pivotal role in fortifying transatlantic relations and fostering partnerships between Greek and US companies.
It facilitates business connections by organizing events, forums, and networking opportunities that bring together business leaders, government officials, and industry experts from both countries and serve as platforms for exploring potential collaborations, sharing best practices, and discussing market opportunities. It actively promotes Greece as an attractive destination for US investments, highlighting Greece’s strategic location, skilled workforce, and favorable business environment. And it advocates for policies that facilitate Greece-US trade and investment, working closely with both governments to address regulatory barriers, improve business conditions, and ensure a stable and predictable investment climate.
The Chamber also supports initiatives for technology transfer between the two countries, promoting collaborations in the aerospace, defense, cybersecurity, and advanced manufacturing sectors, where technological advancements are critical. Additionally, strengthening educational and cultural ties between Greece and the US by supporting educational exchanges, scholarships, and cultural programs helps build a foundation of mutual understanding and cooperation that benefits both business and society. In this respect, AmCham Greece serves as a bridge, enhancing economic and strategic partnerships between Greece and the United States.
How do collaborations between Greek and international entities help drive the Greece’s defense industry?
Collaborative efforts between Greek and international entities are a vital driver for advancing aerospace and defense capabilities, bringing together diverse expertise, shared resources, and innovative ideas and yielding multiple benefits.
Key collaborative initiatives include multinational R&D projects, joint ventures, strategic alliances, and academic-industrial partnerships. Greece actively participates in pan-European initiatives, often under the umbrella of the European Defense Fund and NATO-sponsored programs, with a focus on developing cutting-edge technologies in areas such as unmanned systems, satellite communications, and cybersecurity. Bilateral and multilateral joint ventures facilitate technology transfer and help integrate Greece into global supply chains, while academic-industrial partnerships foster innovation through joint research projects and talent exchange programs.
The benefits of these collaborations are manifold. They enhance technological capabilities, drive economic growth and competitiveness, ensure interoperability and security, and promote risk sharing and cost efficiency. Additionally, cross-border collaborations facilitate cultural and knowledge exchange, building lasting relationships that are beneficial for future joint ventures.
Collaborative efforts between Greek and international entities foster an environment of shared innovation, resource efficiency, and strategic synergy. They are essential for advancing aerospace and defense capabilities, ensuring that both Greek and global stakeholders are better equipped to address emerging threats and seize new opportunities in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
What trends do you see taking shape in defense and how can Greece benefit from them?
Future trends in aerospace, defense, and security are being shaped by rapid technological advancements, evolving threat environments, and increased global collaboration. Key trends include the rise of autonomous systems and AI, which will revolutionize intelligence, surveillance, and combat capabilities. AI will drive smarter decisionmaking, predictive maintenance, and adaptive responses to dynamic threats.
Cyber and electronic warfare are becoming increasingly sophisticated, necessitating advanced cyber defense and offensive cyber capabilities. Electronic warfare will evolve with complex countermeasures to disrupt adversaries’ communications and sensor systems. Space-based assets emerge as critical enablers for secure communications, navigation, and early-warning systems, and investments in satellite resilience and dual-use space technologies will be vital as space becomes an active domain of military operations.
The digitalization of defense systems and the emphasis on interoperable, network-centric operations are driving a need for robust data analytics and secure communication infrastructures. This trend supports real-time battlefield awareness and integrated multi-domain operations. Meanwhile, advanced manufacturing techniques, such as 3D printing, are reshaping supply chains and production processes, enabling rapid prototyping and on-demand production of critical components.
To capitalize on these trends, Greece should invest in R&D, strengthen international alliances, modernize defense infrastructure, develop a skilled workforce, and foster a vibrant defense ecosystem. By embracing these initiatives, Greece can transform its defense posture, drive economic development, increase security of supply, and become a competitive player in the future landscape of aerospace, defense, and security.
