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2012 Speeches and Articles

Lockheed Martin - Hellenic Aerospace Indusries Signing Ceremony

Zappeion, 11:00 a.m., July 24, 2012
Remarks by U.S. Ambassador Daniel B. Smith
Mr. Minister, Distinguished Guests, 
Colleagues, and Friends.
I am pleased to be here today 
to help mark this important agreement 
between  Lockheed Martin (LM) 
and Hellenic Aerospace Industries (HAI).  
At a time of economic crisis, 
it’s important that we take time 
to recognize this significant agreement 
between Lockheed Martin 
and Hellenic Aerospace Industries 
that will benefit both partners 
as well as both Greece 
and the United States.   
Most of you are well aware 
that Lockheed Martin 
is one of the largest and most successful 
defense companies in the world.  
Their commitment to HAI 
has a long history 
and reflects great confidence 
in HAI’s technological capacity, 
as well as the competence 
and professionalism of its workforce.  
I think this is something 
for which the Government of Greece, 
the Greek people, 
and the employees of HAI 
can be justifiably proud.  
Lockheed Martin’s relationship with HAI 
is an important element 
in our longstanding 
and mutually beneficial defense cooperation 
with Greece.  
The United States Government 
and American defense firms 
have been at the forefront 
of international investors 
in the Greek defense industry 
over the last forty years.  
Today we have heard about 
HAI producing critical components 
of the F-16 and C-130 aircraft.  
But I’d also like to mention 
some other notable successes 
that perhaps haven’t received 
much attention in the press.
The U.S. company ATK, 
one of the largest ammunition producers in the world, 
has been a major investor 
in Hellenic Defense Systems, 
transferring technology 
so HDS can produce 
the lightweight 30mm ammunition 
for Apache helicopters around the world.  
U.S. vehicle manufacturers, 
OshKosh and AM General, 
have established close relations with ELVO, 
allowing it to produce 
vehicles under license for the domestic market 
with potential for global sales.  
Raytheon has a long record 
of using Greek defense companies 
as subcontractors for a variety of its systems, 
most notably INTERCOM 
and the work they have done 
for the Patriot Air Defense system.  
The U.S. Army has also purchased 
a large number of fuel and water tankers 
from Nik Kioleidis 
in order to support its troops 
who are deployed 
in operations around the world.  
These are just a few examples 
but I think they illustrate in a meaningful way 
how America has invested 
and continues to invest 
in the Greek defense industry.  
We have confidence in our Greek partners
 and I see us working together in the future – 
ever closer – 
for the benefit of both of our nations 
and their economies.
Thank you. 

Zappeion, 11:00 a.m., July 24, 2012
Remarks by U.S. Ambassador Daniel B. Smith

Mr. Minister, Distinguished Guests, Colleagues, and Friends.

I am pleased to be here today to help mark this important agreement between  Lockheed Martin (LM) and Hellenic Aerospace Industries (HAI).  

At a time of economic crisis, it’s important that we take time to recognize this significant agreement between Lockheed Martin and Hellenic Aerospace Industries that will benefit both partners as well as both Greece and the United States.   

Most of you are well aware that Lockheed Martin is one of the largest and most successful defense companies in the world.  Their commitment to HAI has a long history and reflects great confidence in HAI’s technological capacity, as well as the competence and professionalism of its workforce.  I think this is something for which the Government of Greece, the Greek people, and the employees of HAI can be justifiably proud.  

Lockheed Martin’s relationship with HAI is an important element in our longstanding and mutually beneficial defense cooperation with Greece.  


The United States Government and American defense firms have been at the forefront of international investors in the Greek defense industry over the last forty years.  

Today we have heard about HAI producing critical components of the F-16 and C-130 aircraft.  But I’d also like to mention some other notable successes that perhaps haven’t received much attention in the press.
The U.S. company ATK, one of the largest ammunition producers in the world, has been a major investor in Hellenic Defense Systems, transferring technology so HDS can produce the lightweight 30mm ammunition for Apache helicopters around the world.  U.S. vehicle manufacturers, OshKosh and AM General, have established close relations with ELVO, allowing it to produce vehicles under license for the domestic market with potential for global sales.  

Raytheon has a long record of using Greek defense companies as subcontractors for a variety of its systems, most notably INTERCOM and the work they have done for the Patriot Air Defense system.  

The U.S. Army has also purchased a large number of fuel and water tankers from Nik Kioleidis in order to support its troops who are deployed in operations around the world.  

These are just a few examples but I think they illustrate in a meaningful way how America has invested and continues to invest in the Greek defense industry.  

We have confidence in our Greek partners and I see us working together in the future – ever closer – for the benefit of both of our nations and their economies.Thank you.