By Stamatis Zisimou

Greek defense companies are participating in an interdisciplinary military exercise in Alexandroupolis, conducted under the "Parmenion" framework. In the field (Shadow Period), they will test prototype UCAV systems of high technological maturity, aiming to showcase their operational capabilities and enable direct evaluation by the designated operational entity.

Specifically, in the context of the call for preliminary consultation for the development of a Tactical Unmanned Combat Aircraft Class I (UCAV NATO Class I), four of the thirteen companies that submitted proposals for participation have been approved to participate in the exercise, testing their prototype systems in real military conditions.

According to information from Naftemporiki, these are SAS Technology, Invibit, Altus, Epsilon Aerovision. For the first time in the history, the Hellenic Center for Defence Innovation (HCDI) and the 6th Branch of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff are launching the initiative, which opens the exercise to pioneering Greek companies in the field of defense technology.

New chapter

According to people in the field, based on this dynamic, with the initiative of the 6th Branch and the Hellenic Center for Defense Innovation (HCDI), the establishment of an annual exercise schedule for the Armed Forces is planned, which will include the possibility for defense ecosystem participants to conduct operational testing of their products.

From this year onwards, Greek companies will have the opportunity to test their technologies in military exercises and be evaluated under real operational conditions, thus strengthening the continuity, strategic vision and operational maturity of the domestic defense innovation ecosystem. This initiative marks a new chapter in the relationship between the State, the Armed Forces and the national industry.