Greece to obtain first strategic sea-to-land strike capability with purchase of four new submarines.

As reported by Kathimerini on July 7, 2025, Greece has begun the formal process to acquire four new submarines as part of a 20-year defense modernization plan valued at €25 billion. This procurement was confirmed by Minister of National Defense Nikos Dendias during Naval Week 2025, coinciding with a fleet inspection aboard the frigate Spetsai in the presence of President Konstantinos Tasoulas.
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The announcement is part of a broader strategic shift under the Agenda 2030 framework and the “Achilles Shield” doctrine, which calls for the transformation of the Hellenic Navy from a force centered on territorial defense to one oriented toward strategic deterrence.  (Picture source: Hellenic Navy)

The announcement is part of a broader strategic shift under the Agenda 2030 framework and the “Achilles Shield” doctrine, which calls for the transformation of the Hellenic Navy from a force centered on territorial defense to one oriented toward strategic deterrence. The planned submarines are intended to replace the aging Type 209 boats, and at least two of the new units are expected to be capable of launching land-attack cruise missiles, enabling strikes at distances over 1,000 kilometers. According to Dendias, the acquisitions will occur within existing fiscal margins, with a mandated 25 percent participation of the domestic defense industry and full adherence to transparency requirements. No additional details regarding the contract or delivery timeline were released during the public statements.

The selection process for the new submarines has already begun, with the Hellenic Navy General Staff issuing Requests for Information to various shipbuilders. Among the designs under consideration are the German Type 218 and Type 209NG, the French Scorpène and conventional Barracuda, and the Swedish A26 Blekinge-class. Each candidate is expected to comply with detailed operational and technical requirements presented during the 2025 Combined Naval Event in Farnborough, UK. Commodore Konstantinos Tourkantonis, former commander of the Submarine Command and current Deputy Director of the Navy’s Armaments Directorate, outlined that the new submarines must support extended operations under enemy threat, including A2/AD missions, sea control, and strikes against shore targets. These capabilities must be enabled through air-independent propulsion, lithium-ion battery integration, minimized acoustic and magnetic signatures, low-frequency active sonar systems, and modularity for future payloads such as UAVs, UUVs, and special forces equipment. A high level of onboard automation and modern crew accommodations are also required, alongside a robust shore-based training infrastructure.

The weapons suite of the future submarines will need to include heavyweight torpedoes, anti-ship and land-attack missiles, short-range anti-air systems, and provisions for deploying special operations forces. The platforms must support both soft-kill and hard-kill defensive systems and enable future modular integration of additional systems. Communications systems must include standard channels and satellite communications, including SHF and L-band SATCOM, VLF reception, and secure datalinks. Sensor arrays are expected to include a combination of flank and towed sonars, synthetic aperture sonar for seabed mapping, magnetic sensors for mine verification, and electro-optical and radar sensors mounted on deployable masts. The Navy also requires onboard systems to support ISR operations in both passive and active detection modes, and a high degree of survivability and redundancy in critical systems. Vendors have been asked to include comprehensive follow-on support packages and integrate Greek industry in production, maintenance, and training.

In parallel to the procurement of new submarines, Greece will carry out a mid-life upgrade of its four Papanikolis-class submarines (Type 214). Built between 2010 and 2016, these boats are equipped with Siemens polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) hydrogen fuel cells, enabling extended submerged endurance through air-independent propulsion. The upgrade program, expected to cost over one billion euros, will be carried out at the Skaramagas shipyards and include updates to the ISUS-90 combat management systems, electronic and sonar suites, torpedo systems, and the integration of new countermeasure launchers. The torpedo modernization centers on the DM2A4 SeaHake Mod 4, a 1.53-ton, fiber-optically guided weapon with a 260 kg warhead and a range exceeding 50 kilometers. A total of 82 torpedoes are expected to be delivered by the end of 2025. The first batch of 44 units includes training torpedoes without explosive payloads, delivered to the Salamis Naval Base for initial exercises. These torpedoes replace the older SUT Mod0 and SST4 models and are compatible with various depths and environmental conditions.

The future submarine fleet is being developed in response to ongoing Turkish naval modernization efforts. Türkiye currently operates 12 submarines and is building six Reis-class AIP boats in cooperation with Germany’s TKMS. Three units have already been delivered, tested, or are undergoing fitting out. Ankara has also announced its intention to develop MILDEN-class submarines with increased automation, missile launch capability, and potential nuclear propulsion. The Turkish Navy has demonstrated the launch of ATMACA missiles from submerged platforms, which has informed Greece’s interest in fielding submarines with similar or greater range and capability. Greek naval assessments have included potential MdCN missile integration on upgraded or new submarines to enable long-range strikes on Turkish infrastructure, including airbases and command centers. Past exploratory studies on fitting vertical launch systems to Type 214 submarines were inconclusive, but the next-generation boats are expected to incorporate this capacity from the design phase. The strategic requirement focuses on preemptive or retaliatory strike options under A2/AD doctrine, extending into Eastern Mediterranean and Anatolian waters.

Additional attention is being given to unmanned systems, as Greece seeks to expand its maritime ISR capabilities with the integration of large uncrewed underwater vehicles. In June 2025, Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI) signed a memorandum of understanding with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to co-develop the BlueWhale autonomous submarine system for the Hellenic Navy. The BlueWhale is a large displacement platform, measuring 10.9 meters in length and weighing 5.5 tons, powered by lithium-ion batteries and capable of submerged operations for up to 30 days. It is designed to perform ASW, mine countermeasures, ISR, electronic surveillance, and special operations support. Its sensor suite includes passive and active sonar, magnetic anomaly detection, and SATCOM-capable electro-optical masts. The BlueWhale has been tested by NATO navies and will be adapted to Greek requirements with the participation of HAI in development, production, and future upgrades. The system’s stealth characteristics, transportability in standard containers, and capability for autonomous operation make it suitable for both coastal and open-sea environments.

The Papanikolis-class submarines currently form the core of Greece’s undersea fleet, consisting of HS Papanikolis, HS Pipinos, HS Matrozos, and HS Katsonis. They are 65 meters long, with a submerged displacement of 1,860 tons, and capable of diving to 400 meters. Their armament includes eight 533 mm torpedo tubes compatible with heavyweight torpedoes and Sub-Harpoon anti-ship missiles. Powered by two MTU diesel engines and a Siemens Permasyn electric motor, they can remain submerged for extended periods and reach speeds of up to 20 knots. In addition to the four Type 214 units, Greece operates one modernized Type 209/1500 (Okeanos) and three older Type 209/1200 submarines. The Glavkos-class boats (Type 209/1100) have been progressively decommissioned. During the 2020 maritime tensions with Türkiye, Greek Type 214 submarines reportedly operated undetected and tracked Turkish vessels, highlighting the operational value of AIP technology in contested areas. The modernization of existing units, combined with the acquisition of four new submarines, is expected to preserve a total of nine operational submarines by the early 2030s.

From an industrial perspective, Greece is seeking to align its defense modernization with domestic production and technological development goals. Future submarine construction is expected to involve Hellenic Shipyards and other local entities. According to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, every procurement contract must include Greek industry participation, whether through final assembly, component manufacturing, or sustainment. This approach is also being applied to other programs such as the FDI frigates, long-range artillery systems, and the defense satellite network. The inclusion of the BlueWhale unmanned submarine further extends this model, enabling HAI to acquire technical know-how in autonomous naval platforms. Greece’s defense expenditures, amounting to over 3 percent of GDP, have received political backing for potential exemption from EU fiscal rules, particularly in the context of rising instability in Eastern Europe, North Africa, and the Eastern Mediterranean. According to multiple Greek defense officials and analysts, the submarine program represents a key capability area within the larger shift toward autonomous, networked, and multi-domain military readiness.