Greece is developing a fleet of autonomous maritime drones, built domestically, that will patrol the Aegean Sea and even...

Greece is developing a fleet of autonomous maritime drones, built domestically, that will patrol the Aegean Sea and eventually the Ionian, replacing large conventional warships of the Hellenic Navy. The plan, reported by the Greek newspaper Nea Savvatokyriako, outlines where the vessels will be constructed, which Aegean island will serve as their base, and how they will operate in open waters. The unmanned surface vehicles are designed to take over patrol duties currently handled by major naval units, reducing costs and the need for large crews in routine operations. The program is part of a broader Greek push toward autonomous defense technology, with both sea and aerial drones also being considered for monitoring irregular migration and preventing wildfires. The report also touches on a separate defense cooperation angle with Kyiv, with Athens exploring joint development or supply of maritime and aerial drone systems. Greece has been steadily expanding its defense procurement and industrial base over the past several years, and this shift toward domestically produced autonomous platforms signals a longer-term strategic reorientation of the Hellenic Navy. Details on who will operate the drones and the exact construction timeline have not yet been made public, according to the report. The Aegean remains one of the most contested stretches of water in NATO's southeastern flank, with Greek and Turkish vessels and aircraft regularly encountering each other in disputed airspace and territorial waters. #HellenicNavy #GreeceMilitary #AegeanSecurity