Greece expands Shield AI V-BAT drone fleet for Aegean surveillance
Greece is widening its drone surveillance of the Aegean: Shield AI says the Hellenic Army has signed an agreement to expand its fleet of runway-free V-BAT aircraft for maritime monitoring. The system flies long-endurance reconnaissance missions and is combat-proven in Ukraine.
Greece is investing further in unmanned eyes over the Aegean Sea. Shield AI has announced that the Hellenic Army signed a procurement agreement to expand its fleet of V-BAT aircraft, used for maritime domain awareness across one of NATO's most contested maritime regions. The V-BAT is a vertical takeoff and landing drone, which means it does not require a runway and can operate from dispersed islands, remote coastlines and confined spaces where conventional aircraft are harder to base. It is designed for long-endurance intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, giving operators persistent awareness over wide stretches of water. The platform has been used in combat operations in Ukraine, including in environments where GPS and communications are jammed or denied, which is part of why it has drawn interest from militaries operating in electronically contested areas. The agreement reportedly includes ground control stations, communication systems and pilot training. Shield AI has also signaled plans to open an office in Athens and to deepen its involvement in Greece's defense ecosystem. Reported via Defence Industry Europe and TipRanks.