A series of business meetings unfolded on the second day of DEFEA 2025.
During this time, METLEN announced significant progress in its defense initiatives, aiming for increased involvement in Greece’s and Europe’s defense programs. Following strategic agreements with KNDS of France and IVECO DEFENCE VEHICLES from Italy, the Greek company is actively pursuing further collaborations with international defense firms, directly linked to the production capabilities of its facilities in Volos.
At DEFEA 2025, METLEN had the opportunity to showcase its partnership with IVECO DEFENCE VEHICLES in the tactical truck sector, designed for transporting personnel, combat equipment, and medical purposes. Claudio Catalano, CEO of IDV, stated, “METLEN and IDV celebrate their strategic alliance aimed at modernizing the military truck fleet of the Hellenic Army. The recently signed MoU marks the beginning of a close collaboration for joint participation in the upcoming program from the Ministry of National Defense related to renewing the existing fleet of armored and civil trucks for all three branches of the Hellenic Armed Forces.”
He added, “This strategic partnership merges the expertise and experience of both companies, aiming to deliver military trucks ‘Made in Greece’ to the Greek Armed Forces, thereby enhancing domestic defense production and promoting national defense autonomy and industrial self-sufficiency.”
According to George Economou, Director of the METLEN Plant in Volos, “The Volos plant is METLEN’s defense unit, with a rich history of undertaking demanding projects. We are exploring joint production of tactical trucks with IVECO DEFENCE VEHICLES, noting that IDV exports these vehicles to Germany—recognized for its stringent standards.”
It is anticipated that 40% of these new vehicles will be manufactured in Volos, leading to an increase in job opportunities. Additionally, plans are underway to expand production units from the current two to five. The Greek company aims to propose a renewal plan for military trucks—both armored and unarmored—across the three branches of the Greek Armed Forces, targeting a substantial number of vehicles to replace outdated models.
Exports
Furthermore, METLEN’s collaboration with IVECO DEFENCE VEHICLES opens significant prospects for exporting defense equipment and providing advanced solutions to both the Armed Forces and other European nations. Established in 1963 with a focus on producing light metal structures, the company has gained specialized expertise in demanding metal applications and complex structures, with 100% of its production being export-oriented toward European markets.
Viviane Bouzali, Chief Corporate Affairs and Communications Officer of METLEN, emphasized that “For over 25 years, METLEN has consistently produced high-precision metallurgical components—delivering on time and to the highest standards. Through collaboration, METLEN and IVECO aim to combine world-class expertise to support the critical mission of modernizing and strengthening the fleet of the Greek Armed Forces, while simultaneously bolstering Greece’s industrial presence in the European defense sector.”
