US embassy cable - 05ATHENS571

UNCLAS ATHENS 000571 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR PM/DTCC - BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ETTC, KOMC, GR 
SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: CHECK ON GREEK COMPANY 
"THEON SENSORS" 
 
REF: STATE 26771 
 
1.  (U) Reftel requests post to conduct appropriate inquiries 
with company officials at Theon Sensors.  Theon Sensors is a 
familiar name within the Hellenic and U.S. Defense community. 
 It was established in 1997 by the EFA Ltd. group of 
companies as a designer, manufacturer, and integrator of 
military night vision viewers and sights.  EFA is a defense 
representation firm associated with firms including 
Lockheed-Martin, Raytheon, L3 Communications, General 
Electric Aircraft Engines, Kollsman, and BF Goodrich.  Theon 
Sensors has approximately 30 employees and is run by Dr. Eng. 
Thomas Dakos and Mr. Nickolas Papatsas, whom report to EFA 
Ltd. owner Mr. Christian Hatjiminas. 
 
2.  (U) Theon Systems sells its night vision equipment to the 
Hellenic Armed Forces and to other allied nations including 
Australia, the Netherlands, and Spain.  It uses 18/25 mm 
Generation II and III Image Intensifiers imported to Greece 
from ITT Industries in Roanoke, VA.  Theon Sensors installs 
the Image Intensifiers (tubes) imported from the U.S. into 
its Driver's Night Vision Viewers and Weapon Sights. 
Sixty-five percent of the components used to produce a viewer 
are imported from the U.S.  Upon request, Theon Sensors 
presented applicable USG export license documentation, which 
indicated that all USG export license requirements are met. 
Theon Sensors keeps accurate records of all transactions 
regarding the required export authorizations, end-user 
certificates, and tube logs with serial numbers received and 
sold.  The NATO-certified manufacturing facility is in a 
modern, secure, and well-maintained building. 
 
3.  (U)  For further information, please contact Cathleen 
Carothers, Econ Section, at 30-210-720-2309 or 
carothersce@state.gov; or Anthony J. Vrailes, ODC, at 
30-210-720-2628 or vrailes@odc.gr. 
RIES