This year, the R&D Partners Days were organized in two different places; in Athens for the fifth time at the French Institute, and at the Center for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH) in Thessaloniki for the first time, with the support of SEKPY (Association of Hellenic Defence Manufacturers) and HASDIG (Hellenic Aerospace Security & Defense Industries Group). On this occasion, Captain Sokratos Karamoutas Defence Programs & Principal Contracts Director at the General Directorate for Defense investments and Armament (GDDIA), did the opening speech and highlighted the importance of innovation and R&T cooperation to support the development of Hellenic naval warfare capabilities. He confirmed his support to this Naval Group initiative to foster and enhance fruitful cooperation.
A focus on new R&D areas to strengthen European cooperation
At the French Institute in Athens, the objective was to focus on composite materials with Universities and industry partners, and with the Hellenic Naval Academy cadets, as well as to look for new subjects such as drones with ELKAK, the Hellenic centre for defense innovation.
At the Centre for Research & Technology Hellas (CERTH), the focus has been put on the important topic of cyber.
Both events have provided new opportunities to identify future cooperation projects between Naval Group and Hellenic partners on the upcoming European Union Calls for proposal next fall and exchange on additional technological fields.
Cooperation to develop the European defence innovation strategy
Several projects in the frame of the European Union involving Naval Group and Hellenic partners have already given successful results, which pave the way for future collaboration (PANDORA, ECHO, EFFECTOR, MIRICLE, SEA NICE). Today, many other projects are ongoing: DTHOR for next generation ship monitoring systems, AINCEPTION for AI-based intrusion detection tools in cyber defence operations, and CALIPSO for innovative emission-reducing propulsion solutions. Very fruitful academics bilateral cooperation are also ongoing with the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) on composites, with the University of Patras and B&T Composites, and with the Hellenic Naval Academy.
On April 30th, three new projects in which Naval Group and several Hellenic partners are cooperating have been selected by the European Commission: Citadel, a project on cyber defense technology, Nereus (smart system of systems for future European naval platforms), and Battleverse (AI-driven scenario to support mission planning and execution).