Greece and Ukraine Collaborate on Naval Drone Development
Greece and Ukraine have reached an agreement to jointly produce naval drones, enhancing their defense capabilities. This collaboration aims to bolster maritime security and strengthen bilateral ties amid regional tensions. Both nations recognize the strategic importance of drone technology.
Key facts
- Greece and Ukraine will jointly produce naval drones to enhance defense capabilities.
- The collaboration aims to address regional maritime security challenges.
- This agreement strengthens bilateral ties amid evolving security dynamics.
4 minute read
The collaboration between Greece and Ukraine to co-produce naval drones marks a significant moment in European defense, signaling a broader shift toward affordable, scalable maritime capabilities. By moving away from a reliance solely on scarce, high-end platforms, this partnership leverages the unique strengths of both nations. Ukraine brings its rapid innovation and combat-proven tactics from the Black Sea, while Greece offers established shipbuilding infrastructure, testing ranges, and access to vital EU funding tools.
Together, these nations aim to deliver fleets of swarming, expendable platforms capable of handling everything from surveillance and mine countermeasures to direct strikes and port protection. The result? Expanded maritime coverage at a fraction of the cost of traditional vessels, with technology that can be refreshed and updated far faster than a standard warship.
For NATO, this initiative supports a more distributed and resilient posture across the Black Sea, the Aegean, and the Eastern Mediterranean. Large fleets of unmanned systems complicate adversary planning, allowing for area denial around key straits and energy infrastructure while buying crucial decision-making time during crises. However, making this work requires strict interoperability. Success will depend on common control software, secure datalinks, and training pipelines that align with NATO standards, alongside robust cyber hardening and resilient satellite communications.
The momentum of this project will largely be determined by policy choices. Tools like the European Defence Fund and joint procurement strategies could significantly compress timelines, provided they are paired with clear export controls and intellectual property protections. Prioritizing components that are free from restrictive third-country controls would also help limit supply bottlenecks. Furthermore, locating production in Greece would not only anchor jobs and maintenance hubs within the EU but also shorten logistics lines for Ukraine, creating a clear path to integrate these systems into broader European naval programs.
Governance remains a critical piece of the puzzle. As dual-use applications like search and rescue are explored, partners will need to establish clear rules of engagement that manage escalation while deterring attacks on ports and undersea infrastructure. Embedding training with the Hellenic and Ukrainian navies and coast guards will be essential to accelerate doctrine development. Ultimately, this collaboration signals a transition toward maritime power defined not just by hull size, but by software, unmanned systems, and resilient industrial networks.
Reaction from Russia
The Kremlin has reacted sharply to the announced cooperation, viewing the deal as a direct hostile act. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova condemned the agreement, warning that Moscow would not let the move go unanswered.
"Greece is pursuing a provocative, confrontational course vis-a-vis Russia, taking openly unfriendly steps," Zakharova stated during a press briefing. She framed the deal as part of a wider Western effort to defeat Russia, asserting, "This step, like many other anti-Russian actions by the collective Western world aimed at defeating Russia on the battlefield, has been duly assessed by us and will be followed by an appropriate response."
Zakharova also appealed to historical sentiment to criticize Athens, noting that Greece was "among the first" to send aid to Kyiv. She claimed that Ukrainian forces use these weapons against civilians in regions where Greeks have lived "since time immemorial," portraying the new drone partnership as a betrayal of shared history. In response, diplomatic sources in Athens dismissed the rhetoric, stating that "threats against sovereign states are automatically rejected."
