Greece bolsters coast guard with 'AEGIS 2' program amid Aegean tensions

Greece is bolstering its Hellenic Coast Guard with the "AEGIS 2" program, a significant rearmament effort aimed at countering Turkey's assertions in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean. This initiative focuses on enhancing Greece's operational footprint through a substantial investment in new maritime assets.

The program's centerpiece is the acquisition of new offshore patrol vessels (OPVs), fast patrol boats, interceptors, drones, and unmanned surface and underwater vehicles. This comprehensive upgrade is designed to establish a robust surveillance network stretching from the Aegean to Crete and the Ionian Sea. The Hellenic Coast Guard currently operates approximately 230 vessels, providing a notable advantage over the Turkish Coast Guard.

In terms of larger vessels, Greece possesses four operational offshore units, including a modern Damen Stan Patrol 5509 and three Sa’ar-class ships. The next phase involves acquiring four new OPVs, each over 80 meters long, with an estimated cost of €360 million. These vessels will be equipped with 30 or 40mm cannons and helipads, significantly extending the Coast Guard's autonomy and operational reach in open waters.

The expansion also targets smaller craft, with plans to add six new vessels over 30 meters to the four existing Italian-built Cantiere Navale Vittoria coastal patrol boats. The Coast Guard's fast boat capabilities are also being strengthened, with over 60 existing boats and seven new Watercat 2000 Patrol vessels already contracted for delivery starting in October. Furthermore, the AEGIS 2 program includes 14 new vessels exceeding 18 meters capable of speeds over 50 knots, and ten interceptors designed to exceed 60 knots, drastically reducing response times.

Perhaps the most significant advancement lies in aerial capabilities. The Coast Guard already operates three twin-engine F406 Caravan II aircraft with surface radar and thermal cameras, alongside six AS365 N3 Dauphin helicopters for search, rescue, and surveillance. The AEGIS 2 program will introduce a family of unmanned aerial vehicles, including two VTOL systems with four aircraft capable of vertical takeoff and landing from islands or ships, boasting over ten hours of autonomy. These drones will be equipped with cameras, thermal sensors, and specialized radar for detecting high-speed vessels and small boats. Additionally, 20 smaller tactical drones and three heavy-lift multicopters are planned.