Key Points
- The Hellenic Navy signed a contract to procure CAMCOPTER S-100 unmanned air systems for deployment aboard three Belharra-class frigates.
- The systems will support maritime surveillance, EEZ monitoring, search and rescue, and anti-submarine warfare operations starting in 2026.
The Hellenic Navy has signed a contract to procure ship-based CAMCOPTER S-100 Unmanned Air Systems (UAS) for deployment aboard its new Frégate de Défense et d’Intervention (FDI) Belharra-class frigates, according to a February 13, 2026 announcement by manufacturer Schiebel Group.
Under the agreement, the rotary-wing unmanned aircraft will operate from three French-built frigates — HS Kimon, HS Nearchos, and HS Formion — forming part of Greece’s expanding maritime surveillance and naval aviation capabilities. The first vessel, HS Kimon, which arrived in Greece in January 2026, is scheduled to receive the CAMCOPTER S-100 system in spring 2026.
According to the company, an additional S-100 system will be operated from land to support crew training and improve operator proficiency. Training for the first Greek CAMCOPTER S-100 crews is expected to be completed in spring 2026.
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The remaining systems will be deployed at sea aboard HS Nearchos and HS Formion. HS Nearchos is scheduled for delivery in late 2026, while HS Formion is expected to arrive by early 2027. The FDI Belharra-class frigates, built by France’s Naval Group, are pre-fitted for integration of the CAMCOPTER S-100, allowing rapid installation once the aircraft are delivered.
Equipped with a Wescam MX-10 electro-optical/infrared camera gimbal and an Overwatch Imaging PT-8 Oceanwatch sensor, the unmanned systems are designed to expand the operational reach of the frigates. The platforms are intended to support maritime security missions, search and rescue operations, environmental monitoring, surveillance of Greece’s exclusive economic zone, and anti-submarine warfare support tasks.
“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.
The CAMCOPTER S-100 is a vertical takeoff and landing unmanned aircraft system designed for maritime and land operations. The platform can operate without a runway and is commonly deployed from naval vessels to conduct reconnaissance, surveillance, and targeting support missions. Its modular payload configuration allows integration of electro-optical sensors, maritime surveillance systems, and other mission equipment tailored to naval operations.
The French-built FDI frigates represent one of the most advanced surface combatant programs entering European naval service, combining modern radar systems, digital combat management architecture, and networked operations designed for NATO interoperability.