Greece has a functioning domestic drone industry and its own armed forces refuse to buy from it. That is the contradicti...

Greece has a functioning domestic drone industry and its own armed forces refuse to buy from it. That is the contradiction at the heart of Greek defense policy right now, and it is costing the country more than anyone in the Ministry of Defense wants to admit. Companies like Altus LSA, SAS Technology, Intracom Defense, Delian, Trygons, Miltech, and the state-owned Hellenic Aerospace Industry have all developed UAVs, loitering munitions, and unmanned surface systems. Some of these products are mature, field-tested, and ready for procurement. The industry exists, the engineers exist, the prototypes exist. Yet in recent weeks alone, Greece approved the purchase of American V-BAT drones, additional Israeli Heron systems, and American Switchblade loitering munitions. The armed forces have also previously bought Austrian S-100 Camcopter helicopters, Spanish A900 drones, French Patroller systems, and Israeli Orbiter munitions. Greek-made alternatives? None selected. The Ministry of National Defense has a standing rule requiring at least 25 percent Greek industrial participation in every defense procurement. According to PTISI, the actual Greek participation rate across all recent drone purchases from abroad is effectively zero. Meanwhile, Greek solutions could offer up to 80 percent domestic value if selected. There is a direct commercial consequence beyond the military one. Defense companies worldwide secure their first domestic order before seeking export customers. A Greek armed forces contract is the credential that opens foreign markets. Without it, Greek drone makers cannot credibly pitch to anyone else. The state is actively undermining the export potential of its own industry. The regulatory framework makes it worse. Testing armed UAVs and loitering munitions with live payloads requires special procedures in Greece, cooperation with state bodies, or sending the tests abroad entirely. The Defense Ministry has meanwhile announced plans to build drone production lines inside the armed forces themselves, so soldiers can print quadcopters in-house rather than buy from Greek companies. The industry cannot catch a break on any front. #Greece #DefenseIndustry ...