Greece is standing up an entirely new military command dedicated to autonomous naval warfare, a direct answer to Turkey'...

Greece is standing up an entirely new military command dedicated to autonomous naval warfare, a direct answer to Turkey's accelerating shipbuilding program in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean. The Naval Autonomous Systems Operations Command will operate directly under Fleet Command and absorb all of the Navy's unmanned assets, aerial drones, unmanned surface vehicles, and unmanned underwater vehicles. Its headquarters will likely be placed on Syros, positioning it close to the Aegean theater while keeping critical infrastructure away from large urban centers that could be targeted in a conflict. A factory in Malakasa, alongside a second facility planned elsewhere, is expected to produce up to 300 drone units per year. Most will be between 5 and 8 meters in length, with larger models also in development. The command's mission covers a wide range of operations. It will run continuous surveillance and reconnaissance across key maritime zones, conduct anti-submarine warfare using underwater drones, and carry out strikes on surface and subsurface targets using loitering munitions and autonomous suicide vessels. Electronic warfare is also part of the mandate, with units designed to jam enemy signals or shield friendly communications through a secure real-time network. According to the source article in Tovima, technology recovered from a Ukrainian naval drone found near Lefkada contributed useful know-how to the program. Greece's defense minister is also planning a visit to Australia, whose defense sector has developed significant expertise in autonomous maritime systems. The broader strategy is straightforward: project naval power and deterrence without the financial and human cost of frontline warships. Greece operates around personnel and equipment risks by pushing unmanned platforms into high-threat environments instead. The new command is designed to run 24 hours a day, seven days a week, coordinating with the rest of the armed forces across the Aegean and the Central and Eastern Mediterranean. #Greece #GreekNavy #Aegean