Greek Navy to Lease Israeli Blue Whale Submarines
Greece plans to acquire three unmanned underwater vehicles from Israel Aerospace Industries to bolster maritime operations.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Military Jobs
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The Hellenic Navy intends to lease three Blue Whale unmanned underwater vehicles from Israel Aerospace Industries via a government-to-government agreement. Athens opted for the leasing model due to current budgetary limitations.
Why it matters
The deployment of these systems allows the Greek Navy to bridge operational gaps while its existing Type 214 Papanikolis-class submarines undergo essential mid-life upgrades.
The Blue Whale ELI-3325 measures 10.9 metres in length, weighs 5.5 tonnes, and offers endurance ranging from 10 to 30 days. The vehicle reaches surface speeds of 2 to 3 knots and submerged speeds of up to 7 knots.
The players
Israel Aerospace Industries
This major Israeli aerospace and aviation manufacturer produces the Blue Whale ELI-3325 and other advanced unmanned defense systems.
Hellenic Aerospace Industry
This state-owned defense company serves as the primary contractor for the Greek aerospace sector and works closely with international partners on defense technology.
Hellenic Navy
This naval force is responsible for the maritime defense of Greece and oversees the integration of new unmanned technologies into its fleet.
The details
The Blue Whale, which communicates via an encrypted satellite link, is capable of operating in narrow straits, open seas, and shallow waters. A larger purchase option involving local production lines at Salamis Shipyards was considered but ultimately rejected in favor of the current lease model.
Timeline
May 2025: Israel Aerospace Industries and Hellenic Aerospace Industry signed a memorandum of understanding.
February 2026: Greek defence officials evaluated options for the Israeli unmanned submarines.
October 17, 2026: Greek defence media outlets provided details on the proposed leasing framework.
October 19, 2026: Israel Defense reported on the status of the lease plans.
Market Landscape
The current lease agreement for the Blue Whale submarines follows the procurement pattern previously established by the Heron 1 unmanned aerial vehicle system. This strategy allows the navy to maintain operational capabilities without the significant upfront capital costs of a full acquisition.
The move suggests a shift toward more flexible, short-term military procurement strategies to manage national defense budgets. For industry observers, this highlights the growing reliance on unmanned maritime surveillance technologies over traditional surface or subsurface assets.
The takeaway
Unmanned systems are increasingly serving as vital stop-gap solutions for nations managing aging submarine fleets. This trend underscores a broader reliance on lease-based procurement models for high-tech defense hardware.
Further reading
Learn more about advancements in naval technology at Military Jobs.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Greek City Times.
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