Israel will assist Greece in developing technology to counter swarms of military drones, Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias announced on Tuesday. The pledge follows talks in Athens between Dendias and his Israeli counterpart Israel Katz, building on a December defence pact between Greece, Israel and Cyprus.
“We agreed to exchange views and expertise so that we can counter unmanned platforms — specifically swarms of unmanned aerial vehicles and groups of unmanned underwater vehicles,” Dendias said, appearing alongside Katz. Katz described the partnership as “an anchor of stability in the Mediterranean.”
Drone swarms, which typically involve small, low-cost craft operating in coordination, reflect a broader shift in modern warfare. They are used for reconnaissance, defence and to overwhelm opposing systems. Israel is already helping Greece build an air defence shield as part of the expanding cooperation.
Greece, a high military spender relative to its economy, remains locked in a long-running dispute with fellow NATO member Turkey over maritime boundaries and offshore resources. The December agreement outlined a joint plan for combined exercises, special operations training and regular strategic consultations, following talks between the leaders of the three countries aimed at advancing maritime security and energy initiatives.
