Greek industrial group METLEN and France’s Naval Group have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore future cooperation on submarine and surface combatant programmes for international markets, in a move that further deepens Franco-Greek defence industrial ties. The agreement was signed on 19 March 2026 at the facilities of M Technologies, METLEN’s defence arm, in Volos, in the presence of French Ambassador to Greece Laurence Auer.

The MoU builds on an already established relationship between the two companies. Naval Group said it already benefits from METLEN’s manufacturing expertise for key elements of the FDI frigate on both the Hellenic and French programmes, and now views the Greek company as a strategic industrial partner that could support wider cooperation across both surface ships and submarines.

The agreement also underlines a shared objective to support complex naval systems while contributing to a more resilient and competitive European defence ecosystem. In practical terms, the move strengthens METLEN’s position within Naval Group’s supply chain and could open the way for broader participation by Greek industry in future French and export naval programmes.

Naval Group’s industrial footprint in Greece has been growing since 2022, when cooperation began under the FDI for the Hellenic Navy programme. According to the company, its Hellenic Industrial Participation plan already involves more than 70 Greek companies, aiming not only to support current naval construction efforts but also to integrate Greek firms into future international programmes.

For its part, METLEN continues to invest in defence production capacity, including the development of a six-plant defence industrial hub in Volos under M Technologies. The company says these investments are intended to reinforce Greece’s and Europe’s strategic autonomy, advance reindustrialisation, and support critical defence technologies through long-term participation in major European programmes.