Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Wednesday attended a ceremony marking the integration of the V-BAT unmanned aircraft system into the Supreme Military Command of the Interior and Islands (ASDEN), following a donation by the Athanasios K. Laskaridis charitable foundation.
Mitsotakis said the new systems significantly enhance Greece’s operational capabilities, particularly in aerial surveillance and target tracking.
“The system presented today has very important operational capabilities,” Mitsotakis said. “A huge technological advance has been made, which obviously cannot leave the Greek armed forces indifferent.”
The prime minister said the integration of the two drone systems “substantially upgrades our capabilities,” allowing the military to test advanced technologies before committing to larger procurements. He added that such donations offer a strategic advantage by enabling rapid deployment and evaluation of new systems.
Mitsotakis described ongoing reforms as “the most daring transformation ever initiated since the establishment of the modern Greek state,” under a broader military modernization plan dubbed “Agenda 2030.”
He emphasized the importance of adopting not only new weapons systems but also a shift in operational mindset, tailored to rapidly evolving theatres of war and the integration of digital technologies.
The prime minister also praised Panos Laskaridis for longstanding support to the Greek Armed Forces, especially the navy, and highlighted the role of the Hellenic Centre for Defence Innovation (HCDI) in fostering partnerships with Greek start-ups in the defence sector.
National Defence Minister Nikos Dendias, who also attended the event, said HCDI has launched four programmes focused on unmanned aerial vehicles and plans to initiate two more by year-end, as part of a new defence doctrine.
“We are a small country, but that does not mean we should not be strong,” Dendias said. “With the reforms underway, we are on the right path.”
The V-BAT drones, which are capable of operating in challenging weather and electromagnetic environments, offer high autonomy, operational flexibility, and low running costs, officials said.