# Greek maritime drone surveillance expansion

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/greek-maritime-drone-surveillance-expansion
> Updated: 2026-09-21T11:50:57.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

Greece is expanding its maritime surveillance capabilities in the Aegean Sea through the deployment of V-BAT vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drones. Following the establishment of a support base at Maritsa Airport in Rhodes, the military is moving to create a permanent installation on Lesvos. 

Infrastructure development in Pagani, Lesvos, including a covered shelter for ground support vehicles, indicates a shift from temporary deployments to permanent bases intended for continuous, real-time monitoring of maritime borders and straits near Turkey. The Greek Army intends to operate a fleet of 20 to 24 Group 3 tactical unmanned aircraft systems.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-21: Greece expands drone surveillance network to Lesvos

Greece is establishing permanent V-BAT drone bases on Lesvos and Rhodes to enhance maritime surveillance and real-time monitoring of the Eastern Aegean.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greece-expands-drone-surveillance-network-to-lesvos

### 2026-09-04: Greece implements drone mosquito control and rabbitfish management

Greek regional authorities are deploying drones to combat West Nile virus in Thessaly and preparing a joint pilot program with Crete to manage rabbitfish populations in the South Aegean.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greece-implements-drone-mosquito-control-and-rabbitfish-management

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Cite as: Greek maritime drone surveillance expansion. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/greek-maritime-drone-surveillance-expansion