The new 309 factory in Malakasa marks mass production of drones and anti-drones, strengthening the domestic defense industry and the country’s operational autonomy.
In a period of heightened geostrategic challenges and with a clear reference to the need to strengthen deterrence against active threats, the Minister of National Defense Nikos Dendias presented in Malakasa the new 309 Unmanned Systems Manufacturing Plant as a central pillar of the transformation of the Armed Forces. The project marks the transition to a new operational and industrial doctrine, in which Greece is not limited to the role of a user of defense technologies, but actively undertakes the production, design, and development of drone systems and anti-drone systems on an industrial scale. Within the framework of the “Agenda 2030,” the new facility is part of a comprehensive strategy of autonomy, decentralization of production, and rapid adaptation of systems to the operational needs of the three Branches, while simultaneously strengthening the country’s technological and defense self-sufficiency.
“Unmanned Systems and Unmanned Countermeasures Systems, that is, anti-drones, are an integral part of the Armed Forces’ new operational concept. The new Unmanned Systems Manufacturing Plant is set to transform an initial capability into industrial-scale production now. It is the first large-scale industrial facility of the Greek Armed Forces, which is entirely specialized in the manufacture of Unmanned Systems. The 309th Unmanned Systems Factory represents a major leap forward for the Armed Forces.”
The ceremony
This was emphasized by Minister of National Defense Nikos Dendias in his remarks on Friday (June 12), at the groundbreaking ceremony for the 309th Unmanned Systems Manufacturing Plant in Malakasa, Attica.
The minister was accompanied by the Chief of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff (GEETHA), General Dimitrios Houpis.
Also present at the ceremony were the Chief of the Army General Staff (GES), Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis, the Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff (HNGS), Vice Admiral Dimitrios–Eleftherios Kataras, the Deputy Chief of the Hellenic Air Force General Staff (HAFGS), Air Vice Marshal (I) Vasileios Broumas as representative of the HNA Chief, and senior officers from the three branches of the Armed Forces.
“The ‘Agenda 2030’ is a holistic framework for the protection of our homeland. With a specific plan, the ‘Shield of Achilles,’ which extends to the sea, the land, the air, but now also to cyberspace and outer space. And it has a fundamental concept, a fundamental parameter: the transformation of everything as we knew it. This is what today’s ceremony also signifies. Unmanned Systems and Unmanned Countermeasures Systems—that is, anti-drones—are an integral part of the new operational concept. Autonomous systems in the air, at sea, and on land are an integral part of the modern operational environment, across the entire spectrum of missions,” Mr. Dendias clarified.
Furthermore, as he noted, unmanned systems “are used for surveillance, reconnaissance, infrastructure protection, countering asymmetric threats, and, of course, data transmission and, consequently, precision strikes on targets”.
Greece, “a country that has faced a threat, that currently faces an active threat against it, does not have the luxury of passively watching events unfold,” he said.
“We must participate, and we must participate not only as buyers and users of systems, regardless of how good we are at it. We must participate as a country that produces, designs, and develops. And it is one of its clear objectives, the stated objectives of the “2030 Agenda”: “The creation of domestic production capacity, especially in this critical sector for deterrence and our operational autonomy,” he explained.
And he added: “The results are visible and measurable, because the process has already begun. In a very short period of time, Base Plant 306 and Base Plant 316 are now capable of producing, as we speak—that is, within a two-year period—4,000 FPVs and Category 1 drones. Moreover, with the addition of 6 mobile production units, this capability gains dispersion, flexibility, operational depth, and the ability for Formation commanders to decide exactly what they need, to adapt the software to absolute operational needs in a very short time, without the need for the cumbersome process of obtaining permission, orders, or analysis from the General Staff or political leadership.”
“This is where we innovate,” he emphasized, adding: “I must tell you that I have not seen any other Army that has developed this capability. That is, to integrate the capability for design and production into our own Units, to decentralize our capabilities. And of course, for now we are doing this in the Army, but I hope very soon to do the same in the Navy and the Air Force.”
“Following today’s groundbreaking ceremony, two more ceremonies will take place in the coming days: The inauguration of the Air Force Unmanned School in Tripoli and also of the corresponding School at the “Kanellopoulos” Naval Base in Skaramagas, of the Hellenic Navy. “Because we will produce them, but we must also have the personnel capable of using them with operational proficiency under combat conditions,” he noted.
And he added: “This comes on top of the already introduced drone training as part of the New Service. It is a holistic approach, a completely different environment in which we must train our officers and equip them with the necessary capabilities.”
“Today,” he emphasized, “we are taking a big step forward. I dare say, a leap. This new Unmanned Systems Manufacturing Plant is set to transform an initial capability into full-scale industrial production. It is the first large-scale industrial facility of the Greek Armed Forces that is fully specialized in the manufacture of unmanned systems. The 309th Unmanned Systems Factory.”
He also noted that the project “is inter-service” because, “for the first time, UAVs will be produced here for the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force.”
“In other words,” he added, “a large vertically integrated industrial structure with a clear operational focus, capable of covering the full life cycle of every system. That is, design, research, production, maintenance, upgrades, and operational utilization.”
The project also serves as a model, as he noted, since it “utilizes existing idle resources of the Armed Forces.”
“This factory shell,” he added, “had been abandoned here for 46 years. We are bringing it back to life, to a life it deserves, to serve the needs of the Armed Forces. The site’s features are impressive. We’re laying the groundwork now that the funding and design are already in place. There is a specific timeline for completion. And I am certain that we will “beat” this timeline as well; we will be able to move faster.”
He further explained that “the Category 1 drone, the FPV, is not a fixed asset, like an airplane or a weapon. It is a consumable item, like a bullet. Therefore, large-scale, mass production is required.”
“The lesson from the last three wars (in Karabakh in 2020, in Ukraine in 2022, and in Iran now) has become clear,” he noted.
“Greece does not have unlimited resources; it does not have unlimited funds. Greek taxpayers are already contributing what they can to our great effort, and this project is, of course, part of our long-term planning. We never proceed with projects that are not costed and fall outside our fiscal capacity. I must, however, say that it also gives the country depth, resilience, because what the war in Ukraine has demonstrated is that countries must have not only the capabilities but also the time to sustain the effort,” he concluded.
Following the blessing ceremony, a presentation of the project was given by Lieutenant General Dimitrios Kourkoulas, Director of the Third Branch of the Hellenic Army General Staff.
This was followed by a demonstration of an air system formation and the laying of the foundation slab by the Minister of National Defense.
The project laid today includes two distinct but complementary components: Complete reconstruction and modernization of the Camp’s old facilities, restoring their structural integrity and repairing external and internal damage. The facilities will be converted into modern production, support, and technical works spaces.
It covers an area of 2,800 square meters. and with funding secured, the necessary steps are underway to ensure that work on Plant 309 begins by 2026.
The new facilities will house production lines for Class I and II drones, for Research and Development of Class III drones, for Unmanned Ground Vehicles, unmanned surface vessels, underwater unmanned systems, and anti-drone systems.
The goal is to increase annual production of Class I drones to at least 10,000 from the current 4,000, to produce at least 300 Class II drones annually, 300 ground vehicles, and 300 anti-drones, while simultaneously establishing capabilities for the Research and Development of Surface Vessels and Submarines.
The second major project at the camp involves the construction of a new two-story building with a total floor area of 3,600 square meters. It will serve as the complex’s core, housing advanced production lines, Research and Development facilities, laboratories, and testing centers.
Its construction will enable a significant increase in production capacity while providing specialized R&D capabilities.
At the same time, it will create new opportunities for collaboration with the country’s defense industry and research institutions.
