The fragile state of the Greek economy has led to a decision to postpone this year's tri-service Defendory exhibition, which was scheduled to take place in Athens from 5-9 October.
The show's organising committee - which has run the event over its 30-year history - says it reached its decision "after carefully reviewing the effects of the world financial crisis on both the Greek and the international defence industry". Its action also followed concerns raised by some participating companies about the host nation's current economic situation, it adds.
Staging such an event while Greece is in the process of implementing a three-year package of austerity measures would be a "purely opportunistic" act, the committee adds, as the restrictions "do not allow for any significant defence spending" in the near future.
"The new [show] dates and details will be released in due course," the organisers say.
Despite having moved to a new and larger location on the site of the former Athens airport for its 2008 event, the last biennial Defendory show was overshadowed by Greece's long-running financial crisis, which has repeatedly delayed its military modernisation plans to buy new equipment including new-generation fighters and replacement advanced jet trainers.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
