Greek Navy Orders CAMCOPTER S-100 Naval Drones for New Belharra Frigates.

The Greek Navy has signed a contract with Austria’s Schiebel for CAMCOPTER S-100 unmanned aerial systems to equip its new Belharra-class frigates, beginning with HS Kimon in spring 2026. The move strengthens Greece’s maritime surveillance and targeting reach in the Eastern Mediterranean, enhancing its transition toward a networked surface fleet.

Schiebel announced on February 13, 2026, that the Greek Navy has contracted for shipborne CAMCOPTER S-100 unmanned aerial systems to operate from its Frégate de Défense et d’Intervention, or FDI, Belharra-class frigates. The rotary-wing drones will equip HS Kimon, HS Nearchos, and HS Formion, with the first system expected to become operational aboard HS Kimon in spring 2026, shortly after the frigate arrives in Greece. Designed for maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, the S-100 will extend each frigate’s sensor horizon well beyond line of sight. Greek defense officials have framed the integration as part of a broader push to transform the fleet into a networked, sensor-dominant force capable of operating effectively in the contested waters of the Eastern Mediterranean.
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Schiebel CAMCOPTER S-100 unmanned rotary-wing aircraft equipped with Wescam MX-10 EO-IR sensor and maritime surveillance payload, the system selected to equip the Hellenic Navy’s FDI Belharra-class frigates for extended ISR and EEZ monitoring missions. (Picture source: Wikimedia)

The decision to pair the S-100 Camcopter helicopter-design drone with the French-built FDI platform reflects more than a simple procurement of unmanned assets. It signals a deliberate Greek strategy to maximize the combat value of its new high-end frigates by extending their surveillance and targeting envelope well beyond the radar horizon. The 3,000-ton FDI frigates, designed by Naval Group, are already among the most digitally advanced surface combatants entering European service. Equipped with the Thales Sea Fire AESA radar, advanced electronic warfare suites, and the Aster 30 air defense missile system, they are tailored for multi-domain operations in contested environments. The integration of a vertical takeoff and landing unmanned system, such as the S-100, effectively extends its sensor reach by dozens of nautical miles without risking manned aviation assets.

From a technical standpoint, the CAMCOPTER S-100 brings a mature maritime track record. With a maximum takeoff weight of approximately 200 kg and endurance typically exceeding six hours, depending on payload, the rotary-wing platform is optimized for operations from small deck spaces under demanding sea conditions. For the Hellenic Navy configuration, the aircraft will carry a Wescam MX-10 electro-optical and infrared gimbal coupled with the Overwatch Imaging PT-8 Oceanwatch wide-area maritime surveillance system. This dual-sensor suite allows both precision identification of surface contacts and broad-area scanning for small vessels or semi-submersible threats that can evade conventional radar detection.

Greek naval officers familiar with the program describe the unmanned integration as “a force multiplier for every mission profile the FDI will undertake,” particularly in maritime security and exclusive economic zone protection. In the Eastern Mediterranean, where overlapping EEZ claims and hydrocarbon exploration projects have sharpened geopolitical competition, persistent ISR coverage is not a luxury but an operational necessity. The S-100’s ability to provide real-time video and targeting data directly into the frigate’s combat management system will enable faster decision cycles and more credible deterrence patrols.

Anti-submarine warfare is another domain where the unmanned system could prove strategically relevant. While the S-100 itself is not a submarine hunter, its long endurance and elevated sensor vantage point allow surface commanders to cue shipborne sonar assets more effectively. By identifying suspicious surface patterns or coordinating with maritime patrol aircraft, the drone can indirectly contribute to building a layered ASW picture, a priority for Greece given the region's significant submarine activity.

The procurement also includes a land-based system dedicated to training and operator proficiency. Initial Greek crews are expected to complete training by spring 2026, in time for the operational debut aboard HS Kimon. The two follow-on frigates, HS Nearchos and HS Formion, scheduled for delivery in late 2026 and early 2027, respectively, are already pre-fitted for rapid S-100 integration. This pre-wiring and structural preparation underscores the foresight embedded in the FDI acquisition program and reduces the timeline between ship commissioning and full operational capability.

Industry sources indicate that the contract structure ensures long-term sustainment and technical support, positioning the S-100 as an organic component of the frigate class rather than an experimental add-on. For Schiebel, securing a place aboard a NATO frontline frigate reinforces the S-100’s credibility in a competitive European UAS market increasingly focused on maritime applications.

Strategically, Athens’ move fits within a broader modernization arc that includes Rafale fighter jets, upgraded F-16 Viper aircraft, and the FDI frigates themselves. The integration of unmanned systems at sea aligns Greece with a broader NATO trend toward distributed sensing and reduced personnel risk exposure. In practical terms, this means that a Hellenic Navy task group operating in the Aegean or Eastern Mediterranean will have a persistent aerial eye capable of tracking surface movements, supporting search-and-rescue operations, and monitoring environmental incidents without requiring a helicopter launch.

The arrival of HS Kimon earlier this year marked a symbolic turning point for the Greek fleet. With the addition of the CAMCOPTER S-100, that symbol is rapidly becoming a tangible operational reality. By combining advanced European frigate design with proven unmanned aviation, Greece is shaping a surface force calibrated for both high-intensity deterrence and day-to-day maritime sovereignty enforcement.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.