DEFEA 2025: Greece’s HAI Strengthens Air and Naval Defense with CENTAUR Counter-Drone Solutions.

On May 6–8, 2025, during the DEFEA exhibition in Athens, the Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI) reintroduced its CENTAUR system, a combat-tested counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) now prominently featured as a cornerstone of Greece’s naval and air defense modernization. As tensions rise in multiple regions where drone warfare has become the new frontline reality, CENTAUR’s proven performance in the Red Sea aboard the frigate Psara has transformed it into a symbol of sovereign resilience and technological ingenuity.
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The CENTAUR is a long-range electronic warfare system designed to detect, identify, and neutralize NATO Class 2 and 3 UAVs, such as the Russian Orlan-10. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

Its return to DEFEA 2025 underlines both its operational credibility and Greece’s determination to advance indigenous defense innovation through upcoming national programs. This iteration of CENTAUR also aligns with the forthcoming partnership between HAI and the Greek Center for Innovation Development (ELKAK), marking a decisive step toward broader integration across the Hellenic Armed Forces.

CENTAUR is a long-range electronic warfare system designed to detect, identify, and neutralize NATO Class 2 and 3 UAVs. These include tactical drones like the Russian Orlan-10 (Class 2), and larger MALE/HALE platforms such as the Turkish Bayraktar TB2 (Class 3). Combining passive and active sensors, the system integrates ESM, ELINT, SIGINT, and ECM jamming functions. At DEFEA 2025, the display highlighted that CENTAUR can identify and track multiple UAV threats beyond 150 km, triangulate them using radiolocation, and engage with focused jamming energy across a broad frequency range. Designed initially for land vehicles, CENTAUR has evolved into a modular solution capable of being adapted to naval platforms, as seen with its successful deployment aboard the Psara during EUNAVFOR ASPIDES operations in the Red Sea. The system not only detected and neutralized Houthi drones without using kinetic interceptors but also enabled a shift in engagement strategy—preserving high-cost missile stockpiles for more complex threats.

The inclusion of a new visual from DEFEA 2025 underscores CENTAUR’s physical layout and key operational components. As seen on the panel, the system includes a mast-mounted receiver for long-range detection, a bridge-roof jammer for forward coverage, and a console-based control station with AI-assisted signal targeting. CENTAUR uses adaptive jamming algorithms that maximize energy efficiency by focusing jamming power precisely on the frequencies used by hostile drones, increasing the probability of mission denial. Its participation in ASPIDES was not symbolic—it demonstrated a real-world cost-saving effect. CENTAUR avoided unnecessary missile launches, proving particularly useful against inexpensive or expendable drones where a missile’s price tag far exceeds the value of the threat.

Beyond its tactical edge, CENTAUR is becoming a strategic tool in Greece’s broader innovation framework. Its development history traces back to HAI’s decades-long expertise in EW systems, notably on A-7 Corsair aircraft. CENTAUR’s inclusion in ELKAK’s future programs ensures sustained R&D funding, with plans to roll out enhanced land-based and naval variants. Strategically, its export potential is considerable: at less than €2 million per unit, CENTAUR is cheaper than a single ESSM missile, making it appealing to budget-conscious NATO partners seeking effective, scalable counter-drone coverage. Its architecture allows for seamless integration into existing Combat Management Systems (CMS), making retrofitting simpler and cheaper than competitor systems like Israel’s Drone Dome or France’s Paralyser.

At DEFEA 2025, the presence of CENTAUR alongside its complementary system IPERION, designed to counter drone swarms using GPS jamming and 360-degree hemispheric coverage, positions HAI as a rising European player in electronic warfare. With IPERION targeting smaller drone classes (Class 1–2) and CENTAUR focused on larger threats, HAI offers a layered defense solution adaptable to different operational theatres, from naval convoys to static airbases. This ecosystem fits well within NATO’s evolving integrated air and missile defense strategy, which increasingly emphasizes electronic and non-kinetic solutions to asymmetric aerial threats.

CENTAUR’s renewed spotlight at DEFEA 2025 reinforces its role as a transformative C-UAS platform for both Greece and allied nations. More than a product, it represents a philosophy of smart defense: a combat-validated, cost-effective, and sovereign capability tailored for modern conflicts. As production ramps up and integration with ELKAK begins, CENTAUR is poised not only to secure Greek assets but to serve as a reliable export offering amid global demand for electronic counter-drone systems.