“Charting Innovation: Naval Group Hosts the Third Annual R&D Partnerships in Athens with Greek Industry”
On June 15th and 16th, 2023, Naval Group convenes Hellenic industry, academic institutions, and research establishments at the French Institute in Athens for the third iteration of the “R&D Partners Days.” This significant event emphasizes collaborative R&D and R&T initiatives aimed at enhancing cooperation between Naval Group and the Greek defense ecosystem. Naval Group’s primary French industrial collaborators, Thales and MBDA, actively partake in this gathering.
Research & Development: A Key Element of Collaboration Between Greece and France
Since its inception in Greece in 2008, Naval Group has nurtured a robust affiliation with numerous skilled and innovative firms within the Hellenic defense sector, alongside various research and academic institutions. In conjunction with the frigate program, which Naval Group has strategically aligned with a comprehensive Hellenic Industry Participation plan, the Group is also dedicated to advancing the prospective naval warfare capabilities of Greece through collaborative R&D initiatives involving Greek enterprises, universities, and research organizations.
For the third consecutive year, Naval Group orchestrates the R&D Partners Days with the collaboration and orchestration of SEKPY (association of Hellenic Defence Manufacturers) and HASDIG (Hellenic Aerospace Security & Defense Industries Group), providing an opportunity to engage with existing and prospective partners while discussing ongoing and future initiatives to strengthen alliances.
Given the extensive range of Naval Group’s research domains, these collaborations concentrate on cutting-edge technologies within various sectors, including unmanned vehicles (UxV), autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, energy storage and generation, augmented reality, I-maintenance, software upkeep, and eco-design. This year, particular emphasis will be placed on Energy.
At present, Naval Group and its Greek collaborators have successfully completed the European initiative PANDORA. This R&D partnership is a long-term endeavor, striving for growth in the forthcoming years.
For this third edition, approximately 40 Hellenic companies, academic institutions, and research establishments are partaking. Specifically, Naval Group will present the R&D initiative, Blue Ship, which aims to enhance on-board energy efficiency. Moreover, Naval Group’s main French industrial partners, Thales and MBDA, will join this event and outline their respective R&D cooperation strategies with Greek associates. The GDDIA (General Directorate for Defense Investments and Armaments) will also introduce its vision regarding innovation policies for the Hellenic defense landscape.
Collaborations with Hellenic Academic Institutions
Naval Group already partners with three prominent Hellenic universities: NTUA, the University of Patras, and the Forth Research Center. These partnerships have yielded fruitful academic exchanges between the National Technical University of Athens and ENSTA Bretagne, focusing on the development of composite materials, alongside specific projects with the University of Patras. This year, the partnership has been expanded to include the Hellenic Naval Academy, which has entered into cooperation agreements with Naval Group, and productive dialogues have commenced with the DEMOKRITOS Research Center.
