The global financial crisis of the early 2000s led to turmoil for nearly 200 nations. One of the most heavily impacted countries was Greece, which was already facing severe debt due to government and financial mismanagement. The debt situation in Greece, commonly called The Crisis, caused the country to dramatically raise taxes while simultaneously cutting spending. It took Greece more than a decade to begin recovering from The Crisis. Now, with a newly structured government and financial system, Greece is looking to rebuild its standing throughout Europe and the world.

As Greece’s Defence Minister Nikos Dendias stated, one of the keys to Greece reestablishing itself is through strengthening its military capabilities. Minister Dendias explained that Greece’s location makes it the crossroads between Asia, Africa, and Europe. As hostilities between Russia and Ukraine, as well as in the Middle East, continue, protecting these crossroads has become more vital than ever. “It’s important that we succeed,” Minister Dendias said. “You cannot be a crossroads if roads do not exist or do not function. So for us, Greece, this is a huge threat, directly and indirectly.”

To address this threat, the Greek government announced that they would be entering contracts with NATO allies like France and the United States for support. The country shared that they have developed a multi-billion-dollar, 10-year spending plan to acquire foreign-made defensive equipment. This includes three frigates from France, the first of which, named Kimon, was already launched from France’s Naval Shipyard in Lorient. The Kimon, along with the expected Nearchos and Formionas, will “spearhead the Greek Navy,” Minister Dendias said. Additional funding will go to the United States for the purchase of up to 40 Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets. The plan also includes a stockpile of drones supplied by .

Founded by American aeronautical engineer Paul Beattie MacCready Jr. in 1971 out of Arlington, Virginia, AeroVironment has been supplying the United States military with a range of defensive vehicles, particularly drones. In 2011, AeroVironment introduced the Switchblade, a loitering munition drone that is compact enough to be carried in a backpack and operated by a single user. “Low profile, lightweight, and highly maneuverable, AV loitering munitions are remarkably easy to use. Warfighters can launch, fly, track, and engage beyond-line-of-sight targets across land, maritime, and air-launched environments,” the company website says, “all while remaining at the battlefield’s edge.”

AeroVironment has released three models of the drone: the Switchblade 300, Switchblade 600, and the Blackwing, all of which are single-use kamikaze drones. The Blackwing is 19.5 inches long with a 27-inch wingspan, weighs 4 pounds, and can be launched from an underwater platform. The Switchblade 300 is about the same size as the Blackwing, only slightly heavier. The Switchblade 600 is much larger. Including its airframe, munitions payload, and launcher, the system weighs 170 pounds. As part of an arms package, the United States sent more than 700 Switchblade 300 drones to aid Ukraine’s efforts against the invasion from Russia.

The small, easy-to-use drones that are difficult to detect by enemy forces have proven invaluable in Ukraine’s ability to push back Russian forces. As Ukraine has had such success with the Switchblade drones, Greece has determined that these drones would be the best option, both economically and defensively, to bolster their military force. Greece has placed an order for just under 600 Switchblade 300 and 600 drones. The total cost of the order will be $75.2 million. Greece will be responsible for paying roughly $26 million of this fee, with the rest being donated by three NATO allies, one of which is the United States.

During the press event announcing these plans, Minister Dendias stressed that Greece’s acquisition of drones and other strategic military equipment benefits not only Greece but also the 27-nation bloc comprising the European Union. “What we’re trying to do,” he said “is have a home-grown defence industry in Greece and Europe which could service the needs of the European Union.” He went on to add that another key aspect of the strategy would be to begin developing Greek-made drone capabilities. As Greece navigates its recovery from The Crisis and strengthens its defense capabilities, its strategic partnerships and investments in modern military technology, such as drones, are crucial steps toward ensuring national security and regional stability.

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