Greece to deploy four new French Patroller long-range surveillance drones in the coming months.

As reported by OnAlert on March 17, 2025, the Hellenic Armed Forces are set to receive four Patroller drones in the coming months, likely by summer, as part of a program valued at approximately €55 million. These unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) will be operated by the Army Aviation and are expected to enhance Greece’s surveillance capabilities over key areas, including the Aegean Sea and Thrace.
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The four Patroller UAVs arriving in Greece will not be armed, but the Army is already considering acquiring additional Patroller units in an armed UCAV configuration. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

Greece has chosen two airfields to host the UAVs: Rhodes, at the military airfield in Maritsa, and Chrysoupoli Airport in Kavala. From these locations, the drones will be able to monitor the Eastern Aegean, including the Kastellorizo complex, the northern Aegean, and Greece’s land border with Türkiye, providing comprehensive coverage of national territorial interests.

Initially, Crete was considered as a base for two of the Patroller UAVs designated for high-priority surveillance missions in the southeastern Aegean. However, the military leadership opted for Rhodes to extend operational coverage further. The Patroller drones, manufactured by Safran Electronics & Defense in France, are designed for surveillance, reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, and target acquisition. They will provide real-time data to operations centers and are capable of detecting and tracking small targets at long distances.

Personnel from the Army Aviation are currently undergoing training in France to operate and maintain the Patroller UAVs. Once delivered, the drones will be immediately operational for surveillance missions. The Patroller has a top speed of 200 km/h and can fly at altitudes up to 16,000 feet. With external fuel tanks, it can remain airborne for up to 15 hours, allowing for extended coverage of vast areas. The drone can carry payloads up to 210 kg, enabling integration with advanced sensors. The fuselage houses intelligence-gathering equipment capable of processing data from land, sea, and air operations.

A notable advantage of the Patroller compared to other UAVs is its low radar signature, which makes it difficult to detect, especially when flying at long distances and low altitudes. The four UAVs arriving in Greece will not be armed, but the military is already considering acquiring additional Patroller units in an armed UCAV configuration. This would enable them to use laser designation for guided munitions, such as rockets and other precision-strike weapons.

The Chrysoupoli base in Kavala has been officially designated as a key operational site for the new UAVs, with infrastructure developments already underway. The Greek Ministry of Defense has awarded a contract worth €226,433.15 to RENEL I.K.E. for the construction of a new readiness facility to accommodate the drones. The contract was awarded with an average discount of 10.95%. At the same time, a separate contract for the construction of a 15-position special vehicle hangar was canceled.

The Patroller drone is currently used by the French Army to provide intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and target acquisition, with additional roles in maritime security and electronic warfare. (Picture source: French MoD)

Greece's acquisition of the Patroller follows a NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) contract signed in June 2023 between Safran Electronics & Defense and the Greek Army. The agreement aims to modernize the Army's tactical UAV fleet by replacing older Sperwer drones, which Greece has operated since 2002. The Patroller was the first tactical drone to receive NATO STANAG 4671 certification in February 2023, a crucial step for fixed-wing UAVs over 150 kg operating in controlled airspace.

The Patroller is classified as a medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) UAV, capable of flying up to 16,000 feet and reaching speeds between 100 and 200 km/h. Designed for intelligence gathering, surveillance, and target acquisition, it can support both external operations and domestic security missions, including maritime patrols. It features advanced sensors, high-resolution radar, and an electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) payload capable of tracking moving targets. Additionally, it has electronic warfare capabilities, allowing it to conduct signal intelligence and electronic surveillance missions.

Greece is the first confirmed export customer for the Patroller, with deliveries scheduled for late 2024 and 2025. The Greek Army will use the drones primarily for surveillance missions. The first production Patroller was delivered to the French Army in May 2024, with further units expected in the coming months. The French military’s program has faced delays due to technical issues, including a 2019 accident caused by a flight control system malfunction. Despite these challenges, the Patroller is expected to restore and enhance battlefield surveillance capabilities for the French Army.

The Patroller, developed by Safran Electronics & Defense, is based on the Stemme ASP S15 airframe and first flew in 2009. It has an operational range of 150 km and can be equipped with a Safran Euroflir 410 electro-optical sensor. The drone has been used for surveillance missions and is undergoing integration of laser-guided rockets for potential armament, with developments expected by 2026. The first 14 Patrollers acquired by France cost approximately 300 million euros, including 12 years of maintenance. The system is designed to provide intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and target acquisition, with additional roles in maritime security and electronic warfare.

In addition to Greece, Safran has been in discussions with Egypt and Vietnam regarding potential exports of the Patroller UAV. The company has established collaboration agreements for local assembly and training centers in Egypt. Vietnam has also explored acquiring the system as part of its efforts to enhance its intelligence and surveillance capabilities. The Patroller is a key component of Safran's unmanned aerial vehicle portfolio, integrating advanced optronics, radar, and electronic warfare capabilities for modern battlefield operations.