Greece has taken a critical step towards modernising its Armed Forces, turning the 306th Base Telecommunications Factory (306 EBT) in Acharnes, west of Athens, into a drone production facility. Base Telecommunications Factory(306 EBT) in Acharnes, west of Athens, into a drone production facility. Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias visited the facility on Wednesday (22 October), highlighting its new role in boosting the country’s defence capacity. The factory, which previously focused on the production of telecommunications and electronic equipment, now hosts the production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which are indispensable in the modern warfare environment.
More than 1000 Drone Production Capacity per Year
According to the Greek newspaper Kathimerini, the new drone production facility is currently capable of producing more than 1,000 drones per year. This production includes conventional and FPV (First Person View) drone models used in both reconnaissance and kamikaze missions.
Greek media suggest that these systems will be integrated into the 4th Army Command, primarily to meet operational requirements in Thrace and the Aegean. It is also stated that production can be easily increased or expanded to additional military and civilian facilities if needed.
“Agenda 2030” Living Proof of Vision
During his visit to the facility, Defence Minister Nikos Dendias emphasised the importance of the transformation. “The (Greek) General Staff is doing something unprecedented here for our homeland. This is a critical step in the transition of the Armed Forces to the new era,” he said.
Dendias also announced that they have developed 2 prototype portable drone production stations that will take part for the first time in the parade in Thessaloniki on 28 October. He stated that these stations are being built to track large military units and to be able to produce FPV drones in the field.
The minister said that reaching this capacity in a very short time in this factory is a new concept that not only saves resources, but also changes the mentality of buying ready-made high-tech products. “Not only drones are produced here, but also drone software is being developed. This factory is living proof of the transition of our Armed Forces to the new era and the concrete implementation of **’Agenda 2030’**,” he said, underlining the importance Greece attaches to the domestic defence industry.
