Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis attended the integration ceremony of advanced V-BAT drones (UAVs) into the Supreme Military Command of Interior and Islands (ASDEN), on the morning of Wednesday, May 14. The state-of-the-art drones were donated by the charitable foundation “Athanasios C. Laskaridis,” marking a significant enhancement in the capabilities of Greece‘s Armed Forces.
The new V-BAT drones boast advanced technological features, offering heightened operational flexibility, long-range autonomy, and versatile in-motion handling options. Engineered to perform under adverse weather conditions and in environments with electronic interference, these drones come with low operational costs, positioning them as a valuable asset for the Greek military.
Designed for ease of deployment and recovery, the V-BAT systems elevate user capabilities and field mobility, strengthening surveillance and tactical operations.
During the ceremony, the prime minister expressed gratitude to Athanasios Laskaridis for yet another significant contribution aimed at fortifying the nation’s defense forces.
Mitsotakis highlighted the tremendous technological strides made in aerial surveillance and target detection, emphasizing that such progress naturally extends to the Greek Armed Forces. The introduction of these two new systems, he noted, substantially enhances the country’s defense capabilities.
He also underscored the importance of the domestic defense industry, praising the work being done at the Hellenic Center for Defense Innovation (HCDI) as exceptional and innovative.
He pointed out that HCDI’s efforts are fostering collaborations with a network of emerging defense-related startups, harnessing the talents of some of the brightest minds in Greece. Mitsotakis stressed that it is inconceivable for a nation investing billions in defense not to develop its own robust domestic defense industry.
Defense Minister Nikos Dendias also spoke on the occasion, drawing attention to HCDI ‘s role in advancing the nation’s defense technology. He revealed that the center has already launched four innovative development programs for unmanned systems and plans to initiate two more by the end of the year. These projects are set to integrate into a new strategic doctrine called the “Achilles’ Shield,” which embodies a holistic defense approach.
