The Hellenic Defense Innovation Center (ELKAK) announced on July 31 a competitive tender for Greece’s domestic development and production of a next-generation Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) satellite for the Greek Armed Forces, marking a key step in Greece’s efforts to enhance its space capabilities.
The new satellite will utilize Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology, enabling it to provide high-resolution imaging capabilities regardless of lighting or weather conditions—providing operational advantages that ELKAK says could surpass current global capabilities.
Satellite fully made in Greece
The project, with a total budget of €25 million (around $28.5 million), will be entirely developed and manufactured within Greece.
It will involve domestic companies and institutions, aiming to strengthen the national space technology sector and establish a robust local supply chain for defense-related space systems.
Advanced satellite capabilities
The satellite system will incorporate cutting-edge technologies for detection, recognition, tracking, targeting, and threat neutralization, supporting both autonomous and network-centric operations.
Beyond its ISR functions, it will also enable electronic warfare operations, including communication jamming, Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) spoofing—or navigation deception—and cyberattacks. Additionally, it will be compatible with the integration of hard-kill systems such as laser weapons, direct energy weapons, and projectile-based armaments.
Its modular architecture will allow for seamless integration with various operational platforms, with a strong focus on interoperability and scalability to meet evolving mission requirements.
“ELKAK is proud to initiate the competitive dialogue process”
ELKAK CEO Pantelis Tzortzakis explained that ELKAK is actively pursuing initiatives to meet operational demands across all five domains—land, sea, air, cyberspace, and space. He emphasized that the organization’s goal is to continuously strengthen Greece’s strategic independence, boost the national economy, and promote innovation that benefits both defense and commercial sectors.
“Space has emerged as the fifth operational domain—alongside land, sea, air, and cyberspace,” Tzortzakis said, while also announcing:
“With the valuable collaboration of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff (GEETHA), and in close coordination with the Ministry of Digital Governance and the Hellenic Space Center, ELKAK is proud to initiate the competitive dialogue process for the domestic development of an advanced SAR satellite.”
About ELKAK: Advancing Greece’s satellite development and defense innovation
The Hellenic Defense Innovation Center (ELKAK S.A.) is a state-owned corporation with shareholders including the Ministry of National Defense (67%) and the Hellenic Corporation of Assets and Participations (33%). Its core mission is to build a strong national ecosystem of defense innovation that meets Greece’s security needs.
ELKAK focuses on funding dual-use research and development projects that create technologies, products, or solutions designed for both civilian (commercial) and military (defense) applications, aiming to enhance the country’s defense capabilities while driving economic growth. Serving as a bridge, it leverages financial and non-financial tools to connect startups, SMEs, research institutions, military academies, and established defense industry players.
Through these efforts, ELKAK fosters partnerships with the Armed Forces, law enforcement, and civil protection agencies. The organization operates under the oversight of the Minister of National Defense.
