Hellenic Navy unveils Pyrpolitis unmanned surface vehicle

The Hellenic Navy has unveiled ‘Pyrpolitis’, an unmanned surface vehicle (USV) designed and developed entirely by Greek naval personnel. Unveiled during the inauguration of the Interdisciplinary Training Center for Unmanned and Autonomous Maritime Systems at the Palaskas Training Center, the vessel represents a significant step in Greece's push for autonomous maritime capabilities.

Measuring five meters in length, the Pyrpolitis can exceed speeds of 40 knots. It is equipped with electro-optical systems, radar, and advanced navigation sensors. The USV is designed for multiple mission profiles, including Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW), and One-Way Attack (OWA) kamikaze missions, where the vessel itself acts as a projectile.

Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias emphasized the goal of mass-producing these units to protect critical undersea infrastructure, such as energy and communication networks, and to enhance sovereignty in the Aegean. The presentation also highlighted other maritime technologies, including the Kanaris-1 drone, hydrographic drones, and underwater robots for mine countermeasures.