The Hellenic Navy has signed a contract to procure ship-based CAMCOPTER S-100 Unmanned Air Systems (UAS) to be deployed on the Hellenic Navy’s Frégate de Défense et d’Intervention (FDI) Belharra-class frigates, namely HS (Hellenic Ship) Kimon, Nearchos and Formion.
The HS (Hellenic Ship) Kimon, which arrived in Greece in January 2026, will be equipped with the CAMCOPTER S-100 in spring 2026. Another system will be operated from land and used for training, as well as to enhance operator proficiency. The training of the initial Greek CAMCOPTER S-100 crews is scheduled to be completed in spring 2026.
The remaining S-100 systems will be ship-based and deployed from the Hellenic Navy’s Frégate de Défense et d’Intervention (FDI) Belharra-class frigates, namely HS (Hellenic Ship) Nearchos and Formion. HS Nearchos is scheduled for late 2026, while HS Formion is expected to arrive by early 2027. The French Naval Group-built frigates are pre-fitted for the CAMCOPTER S-100 integration, enabling rapid installation and operational introduction.
Equipped with a Wescam MX-10 EO/IR camera gimbal and an Overwatch Imaging PT-8 Oceanwatch, the S-100 systems will enhance the Hellenic Navy’s frigate fleet operations across a wide range of missions, such as maritime security, search and rescue operations, environmental monitoring, control of the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW).
“We are extremely proud that the CAMCOPTER S-100 is the UAS of choice for the Hellenic Navy. With its proven maritime performance, endurance and payload capacity, the S-100 will provide commanders with extended situational awareness, further enhancing the operational capabilities of the Hellenic Navy’s surface forces,” said Hans Georg Schiebel, Chairman of the Schiebel Group.
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Is anyone in the RAN or DoD ever going to put their hand up and say “We got it wrong?”
No. Never.
It’s beyond comprehension that some one with the intelligence to survive in Politics, can be so completely inept at something, like making a decision in the best interests of their Ministry. The reality is that some decisions have to made for Political reasons , they need the votes in a certain state, an election sweetener, even pandering to the Manufacturing needs of a Powerful Ally( even if it means paying twice the price with longer lead times and surrendering sovereignty) and sometimes it’s a choice to go with another option but i’m not aware that anything was even considered as a option . Canceling the Camcopter acquisition is just one of the inexplicable decisions made by Marles and Co. The acquisition of an inexpensive (by comparison to alternatives and Defence Dollars ), adaptable and fairly easy to operate piece of equipment that not just enhances but doubles the efficiency and effectiveness of a Patrol Vessel should be a no brainer and that decision is just one of many that defy logic.