Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias has announced the establishment of a drone and anti-drone training school in Tripoli, southern Greece, according to Greek Reporter.
The new facility will transform the city’s existing conscript training center into a hub for advanced drone operations, integrating new technologies and capabilities into the Greek Armed Forces.
Dendias said the initiative is part of efforts to strengthen national defense in light of evolving geopolitical challenges.
He emphasized that the school would enhance military preparedness, modernize training infrastructure, and address previous gaps in operational capabilities.
Drone Systems for Greece
The establishment of the training hub is part of Greece’s broader effort to integrate unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and counter-drone systems into the armed forces, within a major modernization program that includes $28 billion in new weapons investments by 2036.
Last year, the US State Department approved a potential $130-million sale of Aerosonde UAVs and armored vehicles to Athens, including drones equipped with anti-spoofing modules and GPS systems.
Earlier in 2024, Greece’s Government Council for Foreign and Defense Affairs approved the acquisition of Switchblade kamikaze drones for the army.
The procurement includes around 590 Switchblade 300 and 600 loitering munitions from US manufacturer AeroVironment for the Hellenic ground forces and special operations units.
The drones are valued at $78.8 million, with Athens contributing $26.2 million and the rest funded through US foreign military assistance under the bilateral defense cooperation agreement.
