On October 12, 2026, Greek industrial conglomerate METLEN Energy & Metals, satellite manufacturer Thales Alenia Space, and Thales Hellas executed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the development of Greece’s future national defense satellite communications system.
Signed in Athens, the tripartite agreement establishes an industrial framework to assess how the companies’ combined capabilities can support sovereign, jam-resistant military telecommunications for the Hellenic Armed Forces.
Industrial Capabilities and Gallium Supply Chain Integration
Under the terms of the agreement, Thales Alenia Space—a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%)—will supply expertise in secure telecommunications satellites and associated ground infrastructure. The proposed space segment relies on a flight-proven, resilient telecommunications platform engineered to deliver secure, interference-resistant communications in contested electromagnetic environments.
METLEN will contribute through its M Technologies division, offering its European gallium production capabilities for integration into global satellite manufacturing supply chains for future Thales Alenia Space spacecraft. Gallium represents a critical raw material utilized in high-frequency semiconductors, solid-state power amplifiers, and phased-array radar payloads. Thales Hellas will facilitate local engineering integration, technology transfer, and skills development across the Greek defense industry ecosystem.
Strategic Context and Sovereign Space Initiatives
The partnership supports broader national initiatives aimed at building sovereign space capabilities, reinforcing the framework established under the €350 million Hellas-Space 2.0 National Space Programme. By combining domestic raw material processing with established European prime contractors, the collaboration strengthens European supply chain independence for critical spaceborne microelectronics while establishing a domestic defense space industrial base.
Assessment Phase and Future Procurement Milestones
The agreement remains in an exploratory assessment phase, during which the three partners will define technical architecture options, industrial work-share models, and supply chain integration timelines. Following the completion of joint feasibility studies, the consortium will present its integrated space and ground segment proposals to the Hellenic Ministry of National Defence ahead of formal procurement decisions.
