Greece is exploring the possibility of acquiring more than the agreed 600 US-made Switchblade drones, as increased production has led to reduced costs, according to defense officials.
Initially, the Greek military secured a deal for the Switchblade 300 Block 20 and Switchblade 600 loitering munitions, with a total value of $75 million, funded in part by $50 million from the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. However, due to AeroVironment’s boost in production, the US has indicated to Athens that additional drones could be procured within the current budget.
Discussions are underway to expand Greece’s order, as these systems have demonstrated high effectiveness in Ukraine.
The lightweight Switchblade 300, at 2.5 kg, is intended for use against infantry and lightly armored vehicles, whereas the more robust 600 model is capable of targeting tanks with a range of 40 kilometers.
Greek special forces have received training on similar systems, facilitating quick integration.
In addition, the Defense Ministry is considering training conscripts in operating FPV kamikaze drones, potentially developed within Greece. With drone warfare increasingly transforming modern military tactics, Athens is determined to strengthen its capabilities in this rapidly evolving field.