Hellenic Navy Conducts Inaugural SPIKE Missile Firings During Joint Drills with Israel

On Wednesday, October 21, 2026, acceptance firings of SPIKE NLOS and SPIKE ER guided missiles were conducted in the wider northern Cretan Sea area. The exercise involved ships from the Hellenic Navy’s Frigate Command, Submarine Command, Fast Attack Craft Command, Surveillance Ship Command, and Underwater Demolition Command, as well as helicopters from the Hellenic Naval Aviation Command and Hellenic Air Force assets. They were joined by two fast attack missile craft from the Israeli Navy, which also conducted undisclosed missile firings during the drills, further enhancing operational interoperability between the two forces. Rafael SPIKE NLOS and SPIKE ER2 missiles were successfully fired from a Machitis-class patrol vessel and a Mark V Special Operations Craft (SOC), respectively. My story for Naval News, here.

Hellenic Navy Tests SARONIC’s Corsair USV Ahead of Major Order

The Hellenic Navy is currently testing a number of Corsair autonomous unmanned surface vessels (USVs) and has submitted a Letter of Request (LOR) to the United States for the procurement of at least 30 vessels to expand its unmanned maritime capabilities. On Tuesday, October 13, 2026, Greek Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias attended the inauguration of the Joint Unmanned and Autonomous Maritime Systems Training Centre at the Palaskas Training Centre (KEPAL), part of the Hellenic Navy’s Naval Training Command. The facility is located at the Kanellopoulos Naval Base in Skaramagas, west of Athens. The event showcased several domestically developed systems that Greece is currently testing, supporting its ambition to become a European leader in autonomous platform development by 2030, as stated by the Minister of National Defence. However, the most notable highlight was a Corsair autonomous unmanned surface vehicle (USV) developed by US company Saronic. According to a video released by the Ministry of National Defence (screenshots below), at least two Corsair USVs are currently in Greece undergoing trials with the Hellenic Navy. My story for Naval News, here.