The Hellenic–French Forum revealed a development with far-reaching geopolitical implications: the anticipated partnership between Metlen and Naval Group for the construction of four new submarines for Greece.
This is not merely an arms procurement story. It reflects a broader shift toward European defense autonomy, at a time when the reliability and future orientation of NATO are increasingly questioned.
“NATO will never be the same”
Evangelos Mytilineos delivered one of the forum’s most striking assessments:“NATO is changing form and will never be the same.”
Linking this transformation to the stance of Donald Trump, he added:“It will no longer provide the defense technology and support we were used to.”
The implication is clear: Europe—and countries like Greece—must build independent defense capabilities rather than rely solely on transatlantic guarantees.
Submarines and industrial transformation
The prospective submarine deal highlights a new model of cooperation:
- Joint production with Greek industrial participation
- Transfer of advanced technology from France
- Strengthening of domestic heavy industry
Pierre-Eric Pommellet, CEO of Naval Group, emphasized Metlen’s credibility in:
- metallurgy
- energy
- large-scale industrial execution
Meanwhile, Mytilineos stressed a key condition:“The new technology must come from the French side.”
At its core, the agreement represents a trade-off between technology transfer and industrial capacity.
The Belharra lesson
Mytilineos also pointed to missed opportunities, noting that Greek industrial involvement in the Belharra frigate program:“Should have started from the very first ship.”
This reflects a long-standing structural issue: Greece’s late integration into high-value defense production chains.
From subcontractors to partners
Christian Hadjiminas highlighted a strategic ambition:
“We must be seen as partners, not subcontractors.”
He referenced collaborations involving Theon, investments in Exosens, and partnerships with Safran.
👉 The broader objective is for Greece to evolve from a defense customer into a co-producer of advanced systems.
Europe under pressure: produce faster
Nicolas Groult of KNDS described a rapidly changing landscape:
“Capacity is lower than demand.”
He stressed the urgent need for:
- faster design cycles
- accelerated production
- “out of the box” thinking
Europe’s defense industry is under strain, driven by rising geopolitical tensions and increased military demand.
The anticipated Metlen–Naval partnership is part of a much larger transformation:
- NATO is evolving under political and strategic pressure
- Europe is moving toward strategic autonomy
- Greece is positioning itself within the core of defense production
If realized, the submarine deal could mark a structural shift: from dependent buyer to active player in Europe’s defense industrial base.
Source: pagenews.gr