One year after the start of its operational activities, the Hellenic Center for Defence Innovation (ELKAK) has announced the award of its first Research and Development (R&D) contracts stemming from the 2025 R&D Project Programme Horizon, marking the transition from strategic planning to implementation and the activation of a new model for integrating innovation into the Armed Forces.

The first R&D contracts concluded in 2026 transform Greek technological innovation into tangible operational capability for the Hellenic Armed Forces. At the same time, the Center for Research, Technological Development and Innovation (KETAK) and the Hellenic Aerospace Industry (EAB) have also received approval for new upgrades and development projects.

From Consultation to Field Testing

Three of the contracts awarded are the direct result of extensive field trials conducted in cooperation with the Armed Forces during the joint military exercise Exercise Parmenion (Greece), within the framework of the Preliminary Consultation Call RFI 06/25.

These agreements with entities from the Greek defence ecosystem focus on the further development and operational evaluation of domestically produced Category I UCAV systems, with the clear objective of their near-term operational use by the Armed Forces.

Lessons drawn from modern battlefields highlight the growing importance of unmanned aerial systems designed specifically for military missions. Such systems combine relatively low acquisition and operational costs with significant operational value. In the complex operational environment of mainland and island Greece, these systems can act as critical force multipliers, undertaking multiple roles in high-risk operational scenarios.

The CEO of ELKAK, Pantelis Tzortzakis, stated:

“These first contracts mark ELKAK’s entry into a new phase of maturity. They are not isolated initiatives, but the starting point of a coherent cycle of projects that systematically transform Greek technological innovation into operational capability for the Armed Forces.

Today’s announcements represent only the first step. Additional contract awards will follow in the coming period within the national R&D project implementation cycle already underway, clearly reflecting the transition to a new, continuous model for developing and producing operational solutions for our Armed Forces.”

Strengthening Domestic Military R&D

At the same time, ELKAK continues to actively support research and development within the Armed Forces. A new contract has been signed for the upgrade of the technological readiness level and certification of a prototype Category I loitering munition UAV, developed by KETAK of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, marking its transition toward a fully industrialized product and its eventual integration into the Armed Forces’ arsenal.

Meanwhile, the Hellenic Aerospace Industry (EAB) is expected to undertake a new R&D contract aimed at expanding the operational capabilities of the “Centaur” Counter-UAS electronic warfare system, designed to enhance the system’s effectiveness against high-value targets and enable its full operational deployment on surface units of the Hellenic Navy.

A Strategic Shift for the Armed Forces

These contract awards represent more than isolated initiatives; they form part of a coherent national strategy aimed at strengthening the operational autonomy of the Armed Forces, leveraging high-value domestic expertise, and establishing a continuous innovation pipeline from the laboratory to the battlefield.

With these first contracts, ELKAK confirms its role as a strategic bridge between the real operational needs of the Armed Forces and the Greek defence innovation ecosystem—ushering in a new era for the country’s defence: more agile, more self-reliant, and technologically advanced.