The US State Department has approved the potential sale of Switchblade 300 Block 20 loitering munitions to Greece under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, a deal valued at an estimated 80.1 million US dollars.
The proposed sale covers 350 such systems and 35 fire control systems requested by the Greek government. The package also includes support equipment, spare parts, battery chargers, operator and maintenance training, technical assistance, logistics support and a number of larger Switchblade 600 systems.
The approval comes about two years after the high-ranking Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defense (KYSEA) authorized the acquisition of both the Switchblade 300 and Switchblade 600 as part of a broader effort to modernize the country’s armed forces and expand precision-strike capabilities.
Manufactured by US defense company AeroVironment, the Switchblade family belongs to the category of loitering munitions — unmanned aerial systems carrying an explosive warhead that can remain over a target area until an operator identifies and engages a target. The attack can be aborted moments before impact if circumstances change.
The systems have become a prominent feature of contemporary warfare, having been deployed extensively in Ukraine as well as in conflicts in the south Caucasus, the Middle East and Africa. Their ability to strike armored vehicles, fortified positions and other high-value targets has made them an increasingly important component of modern military operations.
In its notification, the US State Department said the proposed sale supports US foreign policy and national security objectives by strengthening the security of a NATO ally that it described as a force for political and economic stability in Europe. It added that the acquisition would enhance Greece’s ability to deter current and future threats, improve interoperability with US forces and support allied operations, while stressing that the sale would not alter the military balance in the region.
The principal contractor would be California-based AeroVironment. The State Department’s approval is a required step in the US foreign military sales process but does not constitute a final contract. The two sides must now complete negotiations on the terms and implementation of the procurement.
As previously reported, the acquisition forms part of Greece’s broader military modernization program, which places increasing emphasis on networked, precision-guided and unmanned systems following lessons drawn from recent conflicts. The procurement complements ongoing investments in advanced air, naval and land capabilities as Athens seeks to enhance deterrence and interoperability with NATO allies.
