Four new contracts signed by HCDI for the development of drones and UCAVs

Four new contracts signed by HCDI for the development of drones and UCAVs

March 11, 2026

Four new contracts, the first for 2026, were signed by HCDI as a result of extensive field testing conducted in collaboration with the Armed Forces during the National Joint Exercise "PARMENION".

Of the four contracts signed by HCDI (Hellenic Center for Defence Innovation), one is with the HNDGS Hellenic Research Technological Development and Innovation Center (KETAK), and the other three are with private companies in the Greek defence ecosystem.

These contracts concern, on the one hand, the development of kamikaze drones by KETAK and, on the other hand, the construction of domestic systems of three types of Unmanned Combat Aircraft (UCAV) of Category I, with a clear focus on their immediate use by the Armed Forces.

New contracts will be signed in the near future, within the framework of the programme cycle for the implementation of national Research and Development projects. The implementation of the new contracts marks the transition to an innovative, sustainable model for the development and production of cutting-edge technology products for the Armed Forces. Essentially, this seals the development of the defence innovation ecosystem, which acts as a catalyst for connecting research with production, Greek industry, and the Armed Forces.

It also highlights the role of HCDI as a strategic bridge between the actual operational needs of the Armed Forces and the Greek defence innovation ecosystem.

The Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendiashas repeatedly emphasized the enormous importance he attaches to HCDI:

«The unstable geopolitical environment and conflicts in the wider region highlight the role of innovation and cutting-edge technologies. At the Ministry of National Defence, we have already been "reading" the times ahead with clarity since 2023. One of the most significant changes in the Ministry of National Defence, which took place within the framework of the "Agenda 2030", was the creation of HCDI and the development of a domestic defence ecosystem, with the aim of advancing our technological capabilities. That was our response to the challenges posed by the new era, with the creation, for the first time in Greece, of a comprehensive defence innovation system".