The Hellenic Center for Defense Innovation (ELKAK) launches projects for Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) and a new Battle Management System (BMS).
Athens, Greece, March 4, 2025 – The Hellenic Center for Defense Innovation (HCDI) has issued two significant calls for proposals aimed at advancing Greece’s naval defense capabilities.
Development of Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs)
ELKAK seeks the development of two versatile USVs capable of both manual and autonomous operations, including collision avoidance.
These vessels are expected to undertake missions such as maritime zone surveillance, target recognition under all lighting conditions, protection of ports and naval bases, search and rescue operations, and participation in various warfare scenarios (surface, anti-submarine, anti-air).
The first USV will focus on surveillance and reconnaissance, with potential for future mission expansion, while the second will be designed for comprehensive mission capabilities.
The total budget allocated for this project is €12 million (VAT exempt).
Development of a Command and Control Information Systems (C2IS)
This initiative involves creating a C2IS that leverages the Hellenic Navy’s existing Fire Control Problem Solving Subsystem.
The project includes acquiring a pre-industrial prototype to be installed on a Greek Navy Gunboat. The Battle Management System (BMS) aims to automate detection, identification, and engagement processes using onboard weaponry, integrate data from various sensors, and enhance operational efficiency within naval and joint-force networks. Initially tailored for gunboat-class vessels, the system is designed for future adaptation across other naval platforms.
The project has a budget of €1.4 million (VAT exempt).
The Minister of National Defense, Nikos Dendias, stated regarding the calls for interest from the Hellenic Center for Defense Innovation:
“The announcement of the first two calls for interest from the Hellenic Center for Defense Innovation is a milestone for the defense capabilities of our country. The domestic production of defense capabilities is not a potential option for us, but an existential necessity. In this direction, the announcement is an important first step for the change of philosophy, but also of practice, with the development of the innovation ecosystem. The goal is for Greece to stop buying off the “shelf” and to achieve a significant increase in the participation of the Greek defense ecosystem in GDP, from the 0.7% it currently has.
The aim is also, in conjunction with the next important steps that will soon follow in the context of the Agenda 2030 reform, to equip our Armed Forces with the most modern technological means, in order to fulfill the mission of safeguarding our national sovereignty and sovereign rights.”
“With only 9 months of operation, ELKAK has made significant moves to further activate the domestic defense innovation ecosystem,” said ELKAK CEO Pantelis Tzortzakis. “Today, therefore, with the announced announcements, we are pleased to present an important opportunity for the domestic ecosystem to participate in a leading and proud way in the great project of modernization of the Armed Forces.”