Greece to expand V-BAT drone fleet and establish Samos base

The Greek Army is planning to acquire 10 additional V-BAT unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems to enhance surveillance, reconnaissance, and intelligence gathering capabilities along its land borders and in the Aegean Sea.

According to reports, a new base will be established on Samos island to support these systems, providing a hub for mission planning, maintenance, and technical support. This follows the existing deployment of V-BAT drones on Rhodes and Lesvos, which were initially provided through a donation from the Athanasios Laskaridis Foundation. An operational training center is already functioning in Komotini.

Developed by the US-based company Shield AI, the V-BAT is a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) system that does not require a runway. The drones can remain airborne for over 12 hours and are equipped with electro-optical and infrared sensors. The expansion aims to ensure operational continuity, allowing for simultaneous coverage of different regions even during maintenance or training cycles.