Greek state-owned Hellenic Defense Systems is gearing up for local production of loitering long-range munitions by partnering with South African company Paramount Group.
The system, called IRIX, will be the first of its kind to be produced in Greece, which has historically not had a significant domestic market for armed drones or long-range munitions. Despite numerous announcements, Greece announced about its first locally produced combat drone only in January 2023.
The Greek manufacturer, which goes by the acronym EAS, announced the signing of a strategic partnership with global aerospace company Paramount to create new weapons at a defense industry conference in Athens this week.
The IRIX ammunition is based on Paramount’s existing N-Raven unmanned aerial vehicle technology. The N-Raven, manufactured by a subsidiary of Paramount Aerospace Systems (PAS), headquartered in the United Arab Emirates, began production last month in Abu Dhabi with first deliveries scheduled for October.
In conversation with the publication defense news At the Abu Dhabi International Defense Exhibition and Conference in the UAE in February, a Paramount spokesperson said the system was designed specifically for rapid technology transfer to ease localization for customers.
🧵Latest: #greece‘s Hellenic Defense Systems is gearing up for the local production of long-range loitering munitions by partnering with South Africa’s Paramount Group, a move aimed at strengthening the country’s indigenous manufacturing capabilities.https://t.co/MyXgOVRVjL
— Elisabeth Gosselin-Malo (@elisabethmalom1) May 15, 2023
This scenario is expected to be implemented in Greece using the IRIX system. The Greek company will also take part in the ongoing research and development of future updates that will be made on this platform.
The specific capabilities of the new ammunition have not yet been disclosed. Paramount describes it as a cost-effective system capable of engaging high-value targets deep in enemy territory as well as providing aerial reconnaissance. Since the design is based on N-Raven, IRIX can have a flight duration of 2 to 4.5 hours, a range of up to 100 kilometers and carry more than 13 kilograms of payload.
PAS has also previously stated that the N-Raven swarm version is at an advanced stage of development and is expected to enter production in the second half of 2024. It is not yet clear whether Greece plans to acquire this system.
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