Hellenic Shipyards Association proposes strategic defense plan

The Hellenic Shipyards Association (HSA) has adopted a strategic proposal aimed at positioning Greece as a southern pillar of European defense. The proposal, presented to the European Commission, outlines seven key axes to strengthen the European defense shipbuilding industry ahead of Greece’s presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2027.

Key recommendations include the establishment of a 15-year National Shipbuilding Program to provide long-term stability, similar to models used in France and Italy. The HSA also calls for a single National Coordinator to streamline responsibilities currently split across eight different ministries.

To support the domestic ecosystem, the association proposes a 70% minimum domestic added value requirement for shipbuilding projects based on national security grounds. This initiative aims to support over 200 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and secure approximately 12,000 jobs across Greece. Additionally, the proposal urges the European Union to implement stricter Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) within financial tools such as the EDF and SAFE to ensure industrial return and production within Europe.