The National Documentation and Electronic Content Center (EKT) and the Hellenic Center for Defense Innovation (ELKAK) signed a Memorandum of Understanding, on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at the Ministry of Digital Governance, inaugurating an institutional collaboration aimed at mapping and strengthening the defense innovation ecosystem in Greece.
The collaboration leverages the institutional and operational role of the Hellenic Defence Research and Development Fund and the Hellenic Defence Research and Development Fund, with the aim of developing joint initiatives to promote innovation, support strategic actions in the field of defence and technology, as well as facilitate the participation of specialized scientists, researchers, businesses and ecosystem actors. The focus of the collaboration is on strengthening the technological and innovative capacity of the domestic defence industrial base and start-up entrepreneurship, as well as the faster exploitation of technological solutions in an operational environment.
As noted by the participants, particular emphasis will be placed on the possibility of utilizing Greek scientific potential abroad. In this context, the EKT has developed institutional cooperation with the OECD to map the Greek diaspora and the knowledge base that exists outside Greece, and the announcement of the findings of a relevant study is expected soon.
Main axes of cooperation
The Memorandum of Cooperation provides, among other things:
- mapping the domestic defense innovation ecosystem and assessing its dynamics,
- providing specialized consulting services and support in strategic decision-making,
- development of mechanisms for knowledge management and utilization of scientific and technological data,
- joint participation in research projects and European programs,
- networking and international collaboration actions, utilizing European networks in which the ESF participates, such as the Enterprise Europe Network,
- supporting start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises in the development of defense-oriented technological solutions,
- actions to identify and highlight dual-use technologies,
- informational actions and seminars for research institutions, businesses and Armed Forces executives,
- support for ELKAK in its role as National Focal Point for the European Defense Fund (EDF).
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