In a speech delivered at a CNN Greece event themed “Technology & Defense Industry” as part of CNN Insights, Greek Minister of National Defense Nikos Dendias emphasized the need to transform today’s security challenges into opportunities for economic development and export activity. Addressing Greece’s economic security, Dendias highlighted the persistent challenge posed by the country’s balance of payments deficit, underscoring the strategic importance of leveraging defense and technological advancements to bolster national strength.
“The challenge of security we face today must be turned into a driver of economic growth and export activity,” Dendias stated. He outlined a strategic, long-term goal of building a robust, production-oriented ecosystem focused on meeting Greece’s domestic needs while also prioritizing exports and dual-use products.
Dendias was clear about what this vision excludes: a state-dependent network of intermediaries and opportunistic actors, which he warned leads to opacity and corruption, as seen in the past. Instead, he advocated for a competitive, export-driven economic model centered on healthy, internationally viable businesses that generate national wealth. “This is the core programming,” he said, aligning the approach with the liberal, productive, and export-oriented principles of the New Democracy party.
Speaking politically, Dendias described this model as the “genetic material” of New Democracy, emphasizing that it fosters social cohesion through sustainable economic growth. “I don’t believe there is another solution,” he concluded.
The event, hosted by CNN Greece, provided a platform for discussing the intersection of technology and the defense industry, with Dendias’ remarks underscoring Greece’s ambition to strengthen its economic and security framework through innovation and strategic planning.