Greece to Purchase US Drones, Sources Confirm – Reuters

Greece to Enhance Military Capabilities with U.S. Drone Acquisition

Athens – Greece is set to enhance its military capabilities by purchasing Switchblade drones from the United States, as it continues to recover from a decade-long debt crisis, according to two informed sources.

The Greek government has outlined a multi-billion euro, 10-year purchasing strategy that includes plans to acquire up to 40 F-35 fighter jets from the U.S. and three frigates from France.

The Switchblade drone, manufactured by AeroVironment, is designed to fly to a designated target and detonate. Its operational effectiveness has garnered attention, particularly due to its deployment by the Ukrainian military against Russian forces.

A Greek official familiar with the negotiations confirmed the selection of the Switchblade drones but did not disclose the exact quantity being acquired. Another official indicated that the total cost for the drones would be approximately 75.2 million euros. The chiefs of staff have reportedly approved two versions of the Switchblade, with operational ranges of up to 20 km (12 miles) and 40 km, respectively.

This new acquisition will complement Greece’s existing arsenal, including Spike anti-tank missiles sourced from Israel, which are intended for deployment on its Aegean islands. Moreover, Greece is also working on the development of its own drone and anti-drone systems.

Despite being NATO allies, Greece and Turkey have long-standing tensions surrounding various issues, including disputes over maritime boundaries, energy resources, overflights in the Aegean Sea, and the ethnically divided island of Cyprus.

The procurement of the Switchblade drones must receive approval from Greece’s top decision-making body regarding foreign affairs and defense, known as KYSEA.