Tactical Submoting ammunition from Ketak Highlights Greece's focus on short-distance strike functions

At the Defrea 2025 exhibition in Athens, the Hellenic Inter-Branch Center for Research, Technological Development and Innovation (Ketak), which operates under the Hellenic National Defense General Staff (Getha), presented a ammunition developed in Germany. This system is presented to the public for the first time and reflects the broader efforts of Greece to develop autonomous deadly technologies as part of the growing striving for strategic autonomy.

The drone bears an explosive cargo that is mounted in the middle of its frame, which indicates the ability to precisely incorporate enemy positions or light vehicles. (Image source: army detection)

The ammunition shown in DEFEA 2025 exposes in the form of a compact quadcopter drone for precision attacks on certain short-haul destinations. After the technical specifications shown at the event, the system has a flight duration of 15 minutes, a maximum operating range of 7 kilometers and can reach speeds of up to 120 km/h. It is a single “one-way attack” (OWA) ammunition (OWA), which is to be destroyed in the impact. The drone bears an explosive cargo that is mounted in the middle of its frame, which indicates the ability to precisely incorporate enemy positions or light vehicles. It is electrically powered, uses a vertical start and landing mode (horn) and can quickly be used from forward positions without requiring a severe infrastructure.

This public unveiling in Defea follows the development carried out by Ketak for several months, the projects of which were already presented in the Keoax Test Center in January 2024 during a closed demonstration by Defense Minister Nikos Dendias. During this visit, various prototypes of monitoring, education and strike drones were shown, which highlight the new interest of Greece in the development of national skills in the unmanned system domain. However, the presence of this specific model at Defea marks its transition to the public sector, which may indicate a step towards industrial production or integration into the armed forces.

The development of this production of ammunition is aimed at a broader global trend that is powered by the widespread use of such systems in contemporary conflicts. In Ukraine, for example, improvised or semi-industrial ammunition have become central elements of the tactical struggle, so that light units can strike armored or enriched goals at low costs. This transformation of the battlefield has caused several European countries to search for their own solutions in order to reduce the dependency on foreign suppliers. The fact that this system is developed by a state unity such as Ketak shows the intention of contributing to this emerging landscape through confident innovation.

By issuing this ammunition at DEFEA 2025, Ketak shows his ability to design offensive air systems for the requirements of modern warfare. Although the model has not yet been officially named, it represents a concrete step towards the structured militarization of the Greece drone sector. The spread of such systems that are now accessible for a growing number of countries can also create opportunities for technological cooperation or exports to regional partners that are exposed to comparable asymmetrical threats.