At the facilities of the Hellenic Aerospace Industry (EAB), the Director of the Electronics Division, Kyriakos Enotiadis, spoke to Naftemporiki about the Greece-made “KENTAVROS” anti-drone system, the role of EAB as a key pillar of the country’s defence industry, and its contribution both to supporting the Armed Forces and to developing advanced technological systems.
Referring to the “KENTAVROS” counter-drone system—which has already demonstrated its effectiveness in real operational conditions—he stressed that it is an innovative electronic warfare system designed to detect and neutralize unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs and drones), which are widely used in modern military operations.
He also noted that “KENTAVROS” is not a static product but is continuously evolving through successive versions (KENTAVROS 1, 2 and 3), in order to respond to rapidly changing technological threats.
“EAB monitors and records all technological developments, innovates, and delivers solutions quickly and effectively,” he said.
“We closely follow technological developments. Because our system is based on an open architecture, we adapt to the electronic designs required so that we can detect all kinds of new threats. For example, KENTAVROS 2 can identify threats that KENTAVROS 1 could not detect and neutralize them,” he stated, adding that “there is more to come — KENTAVROS 3.”
International outlook and cooperation
Regarding the international footprint of “KENTAVROS,” Enotiadis underlined that the system can be utilized by allied countries through European mechanisms (SAFE), such as Cyprus and Bulgaria, while third countries have also already expressed interest.
At the same time, the system has been included in contracts with the Hellenic Navy, aiming to equip all frigates of the fleet—a fact previously revealed by Defence Minister Nikos Dendias.
He also made special reference to cooperation with the Israeli Barak MX air defence system from Israel Aerospace Industries, within which—according to reports in Naftemporiki—the two systems have been successfully integrated into a shared network-centric environment, enhancing air defence capabilities.
He stressed that modern warfare has changed, as countering low-cost threats such as drones with expensive weapons systems (e.g. missiles) is not economically sustainable. In this context, “KENTAVROS” offers a more cost-effective solution based on electronic detection.
EAB systems and broader capabilities
Beyond “KENTAVROS,” EAB’s Electronics Division also develops other systems such as “IPERION” and “TELEMACHOS,” which cover different operational environments—from naval missions to urban operations—using specialised radar and electronic warfare technologies.
The company continues to participate in major international programs, including the upgrade of F-16 fighter jets to the Viper configuration in cooperation with Lockheed Martin, as well as the production of components for the global F-16 fleet. It is also heavily involved in aircraft maintenance and support for the Hellenic Air Force.
Regarding production capacity, with contracts ongoing domestically and abroad, Enotiadis said the division has already reached five systems per month, while it is expected to further increase through additional production lines.
He emphasized the crucial role of EAB personnel, noting that the company went through difficult years during the economic crisis and austerity period, with significant workforce reductions and loss of specialized staff. From around 3,800 employees in the past, the company fell to nearly 1,200, while today it exceeds 2,000 employees, with further strengthening planned.
He added that boosting human resources and improving compensation are critical conditions for maintaining competitiveness and delivering major future programs.
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