Hellenic Armed Forces are hastening to acquire drones and counter-UAV systems

The Ministry of Defense and the staffs have been struggling for a long time in order to effectively deal with the continuing Turkish delinquency manifested by the use of UAV’s in the Aegean.

The solution that is proposed, according to the information of “NEA” newspaper, is not one-dimensional, but “multiple answers are being considered”. In fact, the successful action of the Turkish Bayraktar in Ukraine and the increased sales and orders have been analyzed.

Under these circumstances, the Greek General Staff is systematically and quickly studying solutions at many levels. That is, the purchase of technologically advanced UAV’s to make use of their great advantages in the field of surveillance and even the supply of affordable countermeasures system to UAVs) and the modernization of existing unmanned “Pegasus” systems, possibly with the addition and with the production of a new Greek drone.

Late April

The new Greek unmanned aerial vehicle, the “Archytas” program – which after two years will enter the production line from ODA in Tanagra -, is in the final stretch. The design of the Greek drone will be completed at the end of April, as recently announced by Hellenic Aerospace Industries. The first flight of the state-of-the-art VTOL UAV is expected to take place in about two years.

After that the production line will be put into operation to deliver the first to the Armed Forces. It is an innovative UAV as it will be able to take off and land vertically, with systems that have not yet appeared in the field of drones. For the implementation of this state-of-the-art UAV, which will enhance the surveillance of land and sea borders, HAI, the Aristotle University, Democritus research center and the University of Thessaly are collaborating.

In addition, information indicates that the modernization of the Greek-made UAV “Pegasus” in use by the Armed Forces is being considered. Among other things, the officers are studying the addition of weapons to some of these in order to endow it with more capabilities.

The third point that the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces General Staff are focusing on is the acquisition of new UAVs with advanced capabilities. The purchase of 3 American MQ-9 unmanned aircraft has been launched, while the rental of the two Israeli Heron is not ruled out. In addition, 5 unmanned helicopters acquired by the Navy are expected to be integrated into the Greek frigates in May.

The work done by the staffs is also systematic, in order to obtain a system (beyond UAVs) in order to stop the Turkish delinquency with the dozens of unmanned aircraft that Turkey has. Information indicates that many systems are being studied and many presentations are being made at GEETHA.

The aim is to acquire a system that will surely be able to keep Turkish drones away. Among the most basic functions of such a system is to “blind” the electronic systems of enemy drones and a second to take them off course. It is considered certain that both will have to be acquired.

Intensity

Since the beginning of the year, Turkey has carried out a barrage of violations in the Aegean using UAV’s. This practice continued unabated throughout the days of Holy Week and the three days from Good Friday to Easter Sunday.

It is characteristic that on Good Friday the 12 violations in the Aegean were all by a Turkish UAV. On Good Saturday the scene was similar, since all 10 violations were again by a UAV. But also on Easter Sunday the total number of violations was from two UAV’s. But yesterday, out of the 17 violations, 15 were from two Turkish UAV’s.