Aerial Assets for Crisis Management
Strengthening Civil Protection’s Aerial Capacity
Enhancing the country’s aerial fleet constitutes a strategic investment for the immediate response to natural disasters, the protection of human life, and the safeguarding of critical infrastructure.
The investment includes the procurement, upgrading, and operational reinforcement of modern aerial assets, substantially upgrading Civil Protection’s operational readiness.
Helicopters and Aircraft
The fleet enhancement includes:
- 3 AW139 helicopters, capable of medical missions and operational coordination,
- 1 twin-engine First Response jet,
- upgrade equipment for 2 Super Puma helicopters (hydraulic hoists and firefighting tanks),
- medium-class firefighting helicopters,
- single-engine amphibious firefighting aircraft.
This reinforcement significantly increases:
- the availability of aerial assets,
- operational coverage in remote and hard-to-reach areas,
- first response speed,
- coordination between aerial and ground forces.
Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS – UAVs)
The investment includes the extensive deployment of unmanned aerial systems:
- 14 tethered UAV systems mounted on 4x4 vehicles,
- 3 small tethered UAV systems,
- 1 heavy-lift octocopter for material transport (≥20 kg),
- 71 mini multicopters (≤249 g),
- 8 indoor mini multicopters.
These systems enhance:
- real-time surveillance,
- identification of high-risk areas,
- support for firefighting and rescue operations,
- the safety of personnel operating in the field.
The use of UAVs provides increased flexibility, rapid deployment capability, and access to difficult terrain.
Strategic Upgrade of Operational Capability
Investment in aerial assets is not limited to increasing fleet numbers; it represents a comprehensive upgrade of operational philosophy:
- faster first response,
- improved aerial surveillance,
- more effective fire suppression,
- strengthened search and rescue operations,
- enhanced interagency coordination.
Through fleet modernization, the country gains stronger deterrence and operational capacity to meet the challenges of the climate crisis.
Budget and Funding
The AIGIS Project has a total budget of €2,077,494,365 dedicated to strengthening Civil Protection.
Funding is allocated across four main intervention pillars:
- 216.101.632€ – Infrastructure and facilities upgrades
- 346.264.004€ – Warning systems and prevention resources
- 193.091.652€ – Equipment and coordination support resources
- 1.322.037.079€ – Operational equipment and response assets
This investment falls primarily under the operational equipment pillar and is financed by the Recovery and Resilience Facility through the National Plan “Greece 2.0,” with resources from the European Union – NextGenerationEU.
