Hellenic Aerospace Industry
| Company type | State-owned enterprise |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace, Defense |
| Founded | 1975 |
| Headquarters | Tanagra , Greece |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Aircraft maintenance, engine maintenance, electronics, aerostructures, UAVs |
Number of employees | Thousands (exact number not specified) |
Overview
Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI) (Greek: Ελληνική Αεροπορική Βιομηχανία - ΕΑΒ) stands as Greece's foremost aerospace enterprise. Its main facility is situated in Tanagra, approximately 65 kilometers northwest of Athens, encompassing an industrial area of 200,000 square meters.
Over the years, HAI has engaged in extensive subcontracting collaborations with prominent global aerospace corporations including Boeing, Airbus, Alenia, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and EADS, among others. In addition to these partnerships, the company has pioneered original advancements in unmanned aerial vehicle technology, military electronics, telecommunications devices, night vision systems, wind turbine technology, and composite materials.
Notable indigenous creations include various Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, such as the Pegasus and Pegasus II UAVs, which first took flight in 1982 and continue to serve within the Hellenic Air Force.
Industrial Capabilities
HAI organizes its production through specialized centers focused on delivering advanced technological products and services across multiple domains, including:
- Maintenance, repair, overhaul, modifications, upgrades, and logistical support for military aircraft and engines
- Design, development, manufacturing, and after-sales support of electronic, optronic, and telecommunications equipment; satellite systems and applications; as well as co-development and co-production of weaponry
- Manufacturing and assembly of aerostructures
- Repair and calibration services for precision measuring instruments and equipment
Quality Assurance
The company’s Quality Management System holds certifications from BVQI under ISO 9001:2000, ISO 9001:1994, TickIT Guide, and EN/AS 9100 standards. HAI implements Total quality management principles alongside the Six Sigma (6σ) methodology. Moreover, it has undergone inspections and received approvals from nearly all leading aerospace manufacturers worldwide.
Certified by the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA), HAI operates as a repair center for civil aircraft components and engines in accordance with JAR-145 regulations. It is also authorized by major engine producers to perform maintenance and overhaul on engines such as the Honeywell Aerospace T53, Rolls-Royce T56/501D, and Snecma Moteurs ATAR K-50.
Additionally, HAI holds certifications to maintain Lockheed Martin’s C-130 aircraft, Raytheon’s King Air series, and P-3 aircraft used by the Hellenic Navy.
Recent Developments
In January 2025, Defence Minister Dendias announced that HAI’s newly developed Centaur counter-UAV system is approaching readiness for serial production.[1]
History
Established in 1975 by the Greek government under the leadership of Constantine Karamanlis, HAI was created to manage all activities related to aircraft manufacturing, allowing the historic KEA facility to focus exclusively on maintenance operations. A large-scale production plant was constructed in Tanagra, situated 65 km north of Athens, eventually employing a workforce numbering in the thousands.
The development of the E1-79 Pegasus, an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), commenced in 1979 through a partnership with KETA (Hellenic Air Force Research & Development Center). Its inaugural flight took place in 1982, and by 2003, the UAV was operational, receiving an upgrade to the Pegasus II standard in 2005.
Among other projects, HAI worked on the TELAMON, a sophisticated jet-powered UAV developed jointly with Northrop, based on Northrop's Chuckar III UAV. Although introduced in 1986, this project was discontinued due to cost considerations exceeding the Hellenic Air Force's budgetary constraints.
In 1990, HAI collaborated with DASA (Germany), Alenia (Italy), and Per Udsen (Denmark) to develop the "Advanced Amphibious Aircraft" (AAA); however, this aircraft did not proceed to production. Additionally, several initiatives—including a domestically designed trainer aircraft for the Hellenic Air Force and various joint ventures—were left incomplete, primarily due to financial limitations at that time.
HAI became part of the "F-16 Fighting Falcon" co-production program with Lockheed Martin in 1996.
In 2000, HAI joined the "Next Generation Fighter" project, an experimental Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV). Within this program, HAI was responsible for fabricating the rear fuselage, tail pipe, integration bench, engine components, air-to-air missile integration, and communications systems. Concurrently, HAI participated in the "Eurotrainer" development and co-production initiative alongside Dassault Aviation, EADS, Saab AB, RUAG, and Alenia.
In January 2006, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between HAI and Aermacchi for collaboration on the "M-346 Advanced Trainer" co-production project.
By March 2007, HAI had joined forces with EADS on the "Eurofighter" program, taking on responsibility for manufacturing a composite fuselage component known as the Vary Cowl for the Typhoon fighter. On March 29 of that year, HAI entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Russian aerospace firm Irkut concerning potential co-production of the Russian firefighting aircraft Beriev Be-200, contingent upon its selection by the Hellenic Air Force. The following month, HAI secured an agreement with the United States Air Force to perform structural and electronic upgrades (CCIP) on approximately 100 US F-16 fighters stationed in Europe at its Greek facilities. This upgrade program began in November 2007, with the first modernized aircraft delivered in March 2008.
Since 2005, HAI has contributed to designing and producing components for the new Boeing Dreamliner 787, specifically manufacturing the CDS (Cargo Door Surround). This aircraft is notable as the first environmentally friendly airliner constructed entirely from composite materials. HAI aims to become the exclusive global supplier of this component, with production scheduled to start in mid-2008. Moreover, HAI is engaged in designing and fabricating composite prototype parts for the internal wing structure of the new AIRBUS A380 under the TANGO project.
In 2010, Hellenic Aerospace Industry was identified among several state-owned Greek enterprises requiring restructuring due to a significant primary revenue shortfall.
Aircraft Maintenance
The Aircraft Maintenance Facilities provide comprehensive services for a diverse array of military and civilian fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. Their scope encompasses all aircraft components, accessories, and avionics systems. Offerings include depot-level maintenance, extensive electromechanical, pneumatic, and electronic system repairs, as well as modification and upgrade programs for both aircraft and avionics. Structural repairs, corrosion prevention, and aircraft repainting are also conducted. Furthermore, the facilities are equipped to perform crash damage restoration on numerous aircraft models.
For Civil Aviation aircraft, HAI delivers technical assistance for "A" and "B" level inspections, with ongoing enhancements aimed at expanding capabilities to include "C" and "D" level checks. The maintenance expertise of HAI’s Aircraft & Accessories unit spans various aircraft types such as:
- C-130/L-100
- F-4
- A-7
- F-16
- Mirage F1
- Mirage 2000
- UH-1H/Bell 204/205
- UH-1N/Bell 212
- T-2
- CL-215
- P-3 Orion
- Additional models
Engine Maintenance
Spanning 16,000 square meters, the Engine Maintenance Facilities comprise 18 specialized production workshops capable of executing repairs, overhauls, modifications, and testing on a wide variety of turbofan, turbojet, turboshaft, turboprop, and reciprocating engines. The Engine Maintenance Business Unit is certified as an authorized service provider offering support to third-party clients for:
- Snecma Atar 09K50 & M53
- Rolls-Royce - Allison T56 (both Military and Civil versions)
- Honeywell Aerospace T53 and APU 85.184
Core activities within the Engine Maintenance Business Unit include:
- Developing engine repair methodologies
- Designing specialized tools and equipment tailored for engine servicing
- Conducting engine or component life extension evaluations
- Planning detailed engine inspection protocols and investigative procedures
Electronics
The Electronics Facilities occupy a 16,000 square meter building segmented into four principal operational sectors:
- Electronics Maintenance
- Avionics and Instrumentation for Aircraft
- Ground-Based Radar Systems for Weapons and Telecommunications along with other electronic equipment
- Air-to-Air Missile Systems
- Electronics Production, Assembly, and Testing
- Manufacturing and assembling electronic components
- Conducting comprehensive electronics testing
- Production and assembly of weapon systems
- Production Techniques and Quality Control
- Engineering Support including Research and Development
Aerostructures
The Aerostructures Manufacturing Business Unit operates within a 29,000 square meter facility equipped with manufacturing machinery capable of producing:
- Medium-scale subassemblies for large commercial aircraft
- Large subassemblies tailored for military and regional aircraft
- Small to medium static subassemblies applicable to both military and civil engines
- Kits designed for upgrading or modifying aircraft and engines
Manufacturing competencies encompass:
- CAD/CAM design and engineering analysis utilizing software such as CATIA, UNIGRAPHICS, NASTRAN-PATRAN
- Material resource planning (MRP)
- Tool design and manufacturing supported by EUCLID software
- Machining operations including up to 5-axis CNC capabilities
- Sheet metal forming techniques including stretch forming
- Chemical processing methods
- Various surface treatment procedures
- Welding technologies including spot, seam, TIG, electron-beam, and double TIG welding
- Tube bending processes
- Assembly operations
- Packaging and logistics management
- Production planning and control systems (PRC)
- Manufacturing engineering expertise
- CNC programming proficiency
- Program management functions
Engineering and Research & Development
The following summarizes HAI’s key Research and Development initiatives:
- Unmanned Aerial Vehicle "PEGASUS" for Remotely Piloted Vehicle (RPV) applications
- Falcon 900 aircraft aft fuselage fuel tank
- Artillery fire control system featuring a computer integrated with a gun display terminal
- Passive night vision optics
- Military-grade 16-channel switchboard
- Digital messaging apparatus
- Surveillance gun periscope system
- Wideband encryption technology
Collaborations and Strategic Partnerships
Through the F-16 co-production initiative, Lockheed Martin has contributed significantly by sharing workload and advanced technologies. Additionally, Lockheed Martin has invested in expanding HAI’s aerostructures manufacturing facility to support this program’s growth. Both companies are currently evaluating the potential for HAI to become a Single Source supplier for various structural subassemblies of the F-16 fighter aircraft.
HAI and Pratt & Whitney have formed a joint venture named "1st Source Aeroengines Services," focused on Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) operations for controls and accessories across a range of commercial and military engines globally.
As one of only six authorized maintenance centers worldwide certified by Rolls-Royce for the T56 engine, HAI also holds certifications as an Authorized Maintenance Center (AMC) for Lockheed Martin’s C-130 aircraft, SNECMA’s M53 engine, and Honeywell’s T53 engine.
Strategic partnerships extend to major aerospace and defense firms including Airbus, Dassault Aviation, EADS, Raytheon, Boeing, SNECMA, Aermacchi, and General Electric.
HAI participates in the Hellas Sat Consortium S.A., as well as multiple European consortia dedicated to the joint production and development of weapon systems such as IRIS-T, STINGER, ESSM, and the Integrated Eurotraining System (ITS).
Programs
-
IRIS-T/SL Missile
-
RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM)
- IRIS-T (BGT)
- STINGER (EADS-DASA/LFK)
- ESSM (RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile)
- NEXT GENERATION FIGHTER (nEUROn)
- EUROTRAINER (EADS Mako/HEAT)
- GPS GALILEOS program
- SPACE PROGRAM "ARTES"
- European Union Research Initiatives
- Centauros anti drone system
- Greek defense modernization plan (2025–2036)
References
External links
- L.S. Skartsis, "Greek Vehicle & Machine Manufacturers 1800 to Present: A Pictorial History", Marathon (2012) ISBN 978-960-93-4452-4 (eBook)
- http://www.haicorp.com
- https://web.archive.org/web/20081212104437/http://www.haisat.net/
- ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
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