Greece and Ukraine have agreed to jointly produce naval drones in Greek shipyards, reports “Kathimerini“, BTA reports.
The agreement is the main outcome of the meeting between Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday. Official sources indicate that the production will provide supplies for both the Ukrainian and Greek armed forces and will create a new production line capable of building advanced unmanned platforms.
Some of the drones will be intended for the Ukrainian army, while the rest will strengthen the Greek arsenal. Greek companies will provide electronic systems, optical equipment, sensors and, if necessary, explosive materials. Ukraine already produces 15 types of unmanned surface vessels, and the joint model is expected to be an improved version of already tested systems.
The two sides also discussed the possibility of expanding cooperation to unmanned underwater vehicles if the surface drone program proves successful. Ukrainian defense technologies are characterized by dynamism, with operational tactics updated approximately every seven days to counter Russian advanced drones and unmanned systems.
For Greece, the partnership brings three main advantages: access to technologies tested in real combat conditions; accelerated implementation of innovative Greek developments; and closing the technology gap with Turkey, which unveiled its first naval drone in 2021.
The financing has already been secured through Greece’s long-term defense procurement plan for the period 2025-2036. The two countries will also seek additional support through EU loans under the SAFE Regulation, with Ukraine qualifying as an eligible third country.
A Greek military delegation and representatives of the shipyard that will host the production line will visit Ukraine in the coming period to accelerate the implementation of the project.
The agreement is the result of months of confidential consultations and high-level video conferences.