Paris Air Show: NATO brokers Greek deal to acquire Safran UAVs
Greece has ordered four Patroller UAVs from Safran via the NATO Support and Procurement Agency. (Photo: Safran)
The Greek Army has chosen Safran Electronics & Defense to modernise its UAV inventory, adding four new Patroller tactical drones to its current Sperwer fleet.
The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) was tasked by the Greek government to enter into negotiations with Safran. In February 2023 it became the first tactical UAS to be certified to NATO's STANAG 4671 airworthiness standard.
Based on the Stemme S15 aircraft, Patroller has a small logistic footprint which, according to Safran, reduces operating costs. The aircraft is powered by A 115hp Rotax 914F engine.
Related Articles
Safran demonstrates Patroller surveillance capabilities at OCEAN2020
Greece gets new Israeli Orbiter 3 drones under Spike deal
Paris Air Show: Romania orders first batch of Watchkeeper X drones
The UAS can be operated both manually and autonomously with an LoS range of 200km and a range with SATCOM of 1,000km.
Patroller is typically fitted with a Euroflir 410 EO/IR pod for ground surveillance, combined with a COMINT sensor or synthetic aperture radar detecting moving targets.
The platform can be fitted with a multimode surveillance radar for maritime missions, enabling long-range detection of maritime activity over a large zone.
This version also includes an Automatic Identification System (AIS) to perform ship classification, with final confirmation performed with the Euroflir 410.
In 2016, the French Army selected the Patroller for its Tactical Drone System (SDT) requirement. Safran received a contract worth approximately $341.7 million in April that year to deliver three Patroller systems comprising 14 UAVs and five GCS between 2018 and 2019.
Greece took delivery of a total of 16 Sperwer UAVs.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
DSEI 2025: ‘Future force’ a focus but questions remain on core UK air programmes
Focused on shaping the armed forces for the fight ahead, DSEI will hone in on new technology and small and medium enterprises to help lead the sector forward.
-
Insight: What future remains for the E-7 Wedgetail aircraft?
The surveillance aircraft from Boeing is deployed by various countries, most notably the Royal Australian Air Force; but ongoing setbacks for future customers, who cite rising costs and delays, have thrown the aircraft into the spotlight.
-
India fast-tracks helicopter procurement with dual RFIs for 276 platforms
India has issued urgent RFIs for more than 270 reconnaissance, surveillance and utility helicopters across its services, signalling a systemic overhaul of rotary-wing capabilities with a renewed emphasis on indigenous production and technology transfer.
-
How can you own the sky?
With an unparalleled range of solutions, RTX is equipping pilots with a distinct advantage, before the mission even begins.