Proposal for 15-Year Shipbuilding Program for Naval Vessels and Submarines in Greece

The President of the Hellenic Shipyards Association (EEN), Panos Xenokostas, proposed the immediate institutionalization and passage of a 15-year shipbuilding program for Navy vessels and submarines in Greece. The proposal was presented during an event organized by the General Directorate for Defense Investments and Armaments of the Ministry of National Defense, highlighting that Greek shipyards possess the infrastructure and necessary expertise to begin work immediately.

According to Mr. Xenokostas, such an institutionalized program would offer the required predictability, allowing investments in infrastructure and human resources, while also facilitating exports to allied countries. At the same time, he emphasized the importance of achieving 70% Greek added value, which would serve as a guarantee for the sustainability of a broader domestic ecosystem of hundreds of small and medium-sized enterprises.

Regarding Cyprus, the proposal includes close commercial cooperation with Greek shipbuilding units, joint government initiatives, and technology transfer to the Cypriot ecosystem. Furthermore, the President of EEN urged the European Union to adapt its financial tools by setting strict industrial return criteria, ensuring that Greek shipyards can stand as prime contractors for projects rather than merely subcontractors.