Key Points
- 1. The US Department of State has officially approved the sale of Switchblade-type 'kamikaze' drones to Greece.
- 2. The $80.1 million sales package includes 350 Switchblade 300 units and various support systems.
- 3. The weapons, manufactured by AeroVironment, have been widely used in the Ukraine War in recent years.
- 4. The US administration stated that this arms sale will not change the military balance in the Eastern Mediterranean.
By the Numbers
The US Department of State has approved the sale of Switchblade 300 Block 20 loitering munitions, or 'kamikaze drones', to Greece. The total cost of this supply package, which will be realized under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, is estimated to be $80.1 million.
The sale, which will be made upon the request of the Greek government, includes 350 Switchblade 300 Block 20 systems, 35 fire control systems, and the larger version, the Switchblade 600 systems. The package also includes spare parts, chargers, training services, and technical and logistics support equipment.
These systems are known as small drones with explosive warheads that can loiter over targets in the region for a certain period and dive onto them when the operator selects the target. The US Department of State stated that the sale will not alter the regional military balance and will enhance the security capacity of a NATO ally.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: What do the 'kamikaze' drones approved for sale to Greece consist of?
- A: The sales package includes 350 Switchblade 300 Block 20 systems, 35 fire control systems, and the larger caliber Switchblade 600 systems.
- Q: How does the US justify this arms sale?
- A: The US Department of State announced that the sale is in line with their foreign policy, will strengthen NATO ally Greece, and will not disrupt the regional military balance.
- Q: What is the cost of the agreement and how will the process proceed?
- A: The total supply cost is estimated to be $80.1 million; following the US approval, final contract negotiations will begin between the parties.
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