A Greek parliamentary arms committee has approved the purchase of three MQ-9B SeaGuardian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from the US, Defence Review reported.
The General Atomics drones are expected to cost around $400 million, including two ground control stations, spare parts, and related equipment.
Greece is acquiring the drones to beef up its maritime surveillance, reconnaissance, and target identification capabilities amid rising tensions with Turkey.
The drone offers an endurance of 40 hours and a range of 1,850 kilometers (1,149 miles).
Tensions With Turkey
A Turkish drone flew over a Greek island in the Aegean Sea early last month, forcing the Greek air force to dispatch aircraft to intercept it.
After the incident, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan asked Greece to demilitarize the Aegean Sea islands, saying that Athens had violated “treaties that guarantee the unarmed status of the Aegean islands.”
Anti-Drone Shield
Greece is reportedly developing an anti-drone shield to cover the country’s islands and critical locations.
The system will use Israeli technology to electronically neutralize Turkish drones such as the Bayraktar and Anca by interfering in their flight plans, Greek outlet Kathimerini reported.
Greece is also planning to purchase 76 US-made AAVP-7 amphibious assault vehicles, Mark XIIA Identification Friend or Foe Mode 5, and technical and material support for its Type 209 submarine engines, according to Overt Defense.