Greece Reaches for Stars with New Satellite Project

The Hellenic Defense Innovation Center (ELKAK) has announced a €25 million tender for the development of Greece’s first domestically-produced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) satellite, intended for use by the Greek Armed Forces. Revealed on July 31, the competition marks a meaningful step in Greece’s ambition to strengthen its space defence capabilities and strategic independence.

To bolster the national space technology sector and build a strong domestic supply chain for defence-focused satellite systems, the satellite will be constructed entirely within Greece and involve a network of local companies and institutions. It will be equipped with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology to enable high-resolution imaging in all weather and lighting conditions, meaning that the satellite’s surveillance performance could surpass current international standards.

The system will feature cutting-edge tools for tracking, detection, targeting, and electronic warfare and will be designed to support both autonomous and network-centric operations. Additionally, it will be able to support cyber operations, spoof navigation systems, and disrupt communications. Allowing for adaptability across multiple platforms, future integration with laser and projectile-based defence systems is part of the satellite’s modular design.

ELKAK has a broader mission to expand Greece’s domestic defence innovation, and this satellite initiative forms a key part of that plan. The ELKAK agency supports dual-use technologies, which are designed for both military and civilian sectors. Its aim is to strengthen the economy through research and local supply chains.

The project is being carried out in close cooperation with the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, the Ministry of Digital Governance, and the Hellenic Space Center. ELKAK’s long-term goal is to transform Greece into a reliable European partner in defence technology, operating across all five domains: land, sea, air, cyberspace, and now, space.