The government’s support for the development of the domestic defense industry was expressed by the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis During his visit to the company’s premises Metlen in Volos. “European money to go to European companies,” the prime minister noted, while pointing out the hundreds of jobs created in an area that has been strongly affected by de -industrialization.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis, during his tour of Magnesia, toured the production lines by the head of Metlen Evangelos Mytileneos and was informed about the company’s new investment in the defense industry. With the expansion of its facilities, there will be a total of five factories in the area, creating another 650 jobs and giving a new impetus to the local economy.
“I have to tell you that I am extremely impressed by the great work that is being done here in Volos by Metlen, which has long decided to invest in defense, but recently and on the occasion of the very important decisions that have been made national and at European level, Of the 1,000 we hope within the next two years.
So my presence here combines two central priorities of the government. The first is the support of the industry and the creation of well -paid jobs.
Many do not know that Greece also has today that we are talking about a serious industrial infrastructure and the support of manufacturing and industry – an industry that is increasingly integrated of the most modern and innovative technologies – is a central government priority, which is supported by all our tools.
But at the same time, this investment here today shows something more: the great importance that Greece is not only in defense.
Our country has always been a protagonist in defense spending in Europe. For geopolitical reasons, we have spent more than 2% of our GDP on defense equipment for many decades. The reality, however, is that if we make the overall account of these investments, a little added value eventually remained in our home country. We bought systems from abroad, there was no substantial co -production and, above all, there was no transfer of know -how, so that we could invest in defense systems ourselves, which we could then export.
They all change. With our new defense doctrine we require at least 25% co -production In every major defense commission, which will be launched by the Ministry of National Defense.
And obviously we want to support the Greek companies, the big Greek companies, let alone the companies that already have the presence in the defense sector, to invest more dynamically, to sympathize with weapons systems that the armed forces need, but at the same time export the product of the production that will be in investment in It does not have the productive ability to do so.
And on the occasion of the various funding tools that are currently being formed at European level, my position and our homeland is clear: European money to go to European companies.
We have the opportunity as Europe, we have the opportunity to significantly increase our productive potential. And that must be Europe’s first purpose: not to create new dependencies but to be really self -sufficient.
And what is happening here in Volos, starring Metlen and with other companies, because a defensive ecosystem is growing in Volos, it is really in the direction we want to support.
And indeed, not many of our fellow citizens know that today we are talking in Volos here is an important part of all modern leopard with very sophisticated know -how, the patriot launcher bases are manufactured, the Belharra frigates are manufactured.
You already saw the three being in the sea. A piece of them is also made in Greece. A small piece is made here in Metlen. Pieces of the frigate itself are manufactured today at the Salamis Shipyards and we want more added value.
So I want to congratulate Vangelis Mytilineos again, all the executives of the company, first for their strategic choice to invest in the defense sector.
To express my satisfaction with the fact that so many new jobs will be created in a city that, I want to remind, has been hit in the past by de -industrialization. And we are actually turning this page now. We see industrial production through a single point of view and I hope and I hope soon I can come here to inaugurate these three new factories together.
There will be five in total from the Metlen Group in Volos and – why not? – to conquer through partnerships and co -productions not only a significant share of our own equipment expenditure but also a significant share of European equipment. Because one is certain: Europe will have to spend more money on defense and we want Greece in this area to become a protagonist. Thank you very much, “said Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Metlen’s president and CEO Evangelos Mytilineos noted: “Today we have in our factory, in our factories, a great pleasure and honor to have with us the first prime minister to honor us with his presence at this factory.
And in the end it’s nothing accidental. The prime minister came because he has decided that Greece must support the defense industry so that the defense industry can support Greece. And he came here, and I really say it with pride and honor on the part of you, and he was very happy with what he saw.
Before we bid farewell to the prime minister, who made us this excellent honor, to say, because this prime minister does not say words but he is doing projects, you know that this whole band was supported by the government too, within the framework of the funds provided by both the Greek government and the European Union.
And I would like to thank this Minister of Development, Mr. Theodorikakos, who really did not let the day pass without doing what he had to do. So, a thank you to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Development. “
The Prime Minister was accompanied by the Minister of Development Takis Theodorikakos and the Secretary General of Private Investment Salina Siarapi.
Mr. Mitsotakis: We combine the development and creation of good jobs with the effective upgrading of urban transport
Earlier, the prime minister visited the company’s premises NK trailerswhich has undertaken the renovation and upgrading of the trains of line 1 of the Athens Metro.
The Prime Minister, accompanied by the Deputy Minister of Transport Konstantinos Kyranaki and the CEO of STASY Athanasios Kotaraswas informed of the course and timetable of work.
“Here we see a picture of the future, which will soon be present. Here, at this factory in Volos, a significant number of lines on line 1, known to all of us electricity, is renovated. In essence, the wagons, the trains will become practically new with all amenities, with air conditioning, with the support of our fellow citizens with disabilities.
And what I want to emphasize is that all this work is done here in Volos, in a Greek business that hires employees and which is being developed.
That is, we combine at the same time the development and creation of good jobs with the substantial upgrading of the Basin’s urban transport and we wish, Mr Minister, as soon as possible, early 2026, to have the first new trains on the electric lines, ”the prime minister said.
Deputy Minister of Transport Konstantinos Kiranakis said: “We welcome the prime minister to a factory that was closed until a few years ago. Today it is full of life. And one of the most important transfers projects, the complete renovation of line 1, the old known line of ISAP, which for many years on the economic crisis was observed, is completely renovated.
Here we have the first wagon that has already been renovated, both internally and externally, its equipment, security systems, as well as interior equipment, disabled, spacious, anti-Grafiti, all that needs a modern line to serve the line with safe and comfortably.
The upgrade provides for energy savings of at least 15%, while expansion of trains’ life is expected to exceed 25 years.
The prime minister also had the opportunity to see the military vehicles, entirely Greek, which are fully rebuilt in the factory, and other heavy vehicles, including electricity.