Greek Military to Test Domestic Drones in Major Exercise

Greece is set to rigorously test a range of advanced unmanned systems developed by its own companies during the national joint exercise "Dous Ippos 2026." The military trials, scheduled from Monday, June 8, to Thursday, June 11, will involve sophisticated drones designed for critical defense applications.

The exercise, orchestrated by the Hellenic National Defence General Staff (GEETHA), will span across Thrace, the wider Peloponnese region, and the Ionian Sea, with its headquarters at the Andravida Air Base. Eleven selected Greek companies, chosen by the Hellenic Center for Defense Innovation (ELCAK), will showcase their technological advancements. These include unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions, as well as loitering munitions, also known as kamikaze drones.

Furthermore, the trials will feature unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), alongside ground-based anti-drone systems. These ground systems encompass solutions for electronic warfare and various forms of jamming, targeting communications and Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). This comprehensive testing aims to assess the operational capabilities of Greek defense technology in realistic scenarios.

ELCAK announced that this initiative marks the first implementation of its 2026 program for integrating the domestic defense ecosystem into military exercises. It follows the successful "Parmenion" exercise in 2025, which evaluated Type I UCAV systems and led to initial research and development contracts in 2026. The participating companies will receive a certificate of participation, validating the operational maturity and testing of their products, which is particularly crucial for startups seeking to demonstrate their technology's real-world applicability.