Greece has announced the deployment of the state-of-the-art frigate “Kimon” alongside the frigate “Psara”, equipped with the Kentavros (Centaur) anti-drone system, as well as a pair of F-16 fighter jets to strengthen Cyprus’ defence against growing UAV threats. The decision follows approval by the National Defence Council (KYSEA), confirmed by Defence Minister Nikos Dendias.
The move comes after the British base in Akrotiri was struck by a Shahed-136 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), often described as a “mini cruise missile”. The drone has been widely used in regional conflicts for its low cost, ease of deployment, and difficulty to intercept.
How Kentavros works
The Shahed-136 strike highlights the importance of the Kentavros anti-drone system, designed and built entirely in Greece by Hellenic Aerospace Industries (EAB). The system primarily uses electronic countermeasures (soft kill) to jam GPS signals and disrupt the data link between the drone and its operator.
As a result, the UAV is forced to land, return to its base, or crash, losing all operator control.
Operational value in real-world missions
The Kentavros anti-drone system has proven its capabilities in naval operations, including Operation “Shields” in the Red Sea, where it successfully neutralised drones deployed by Yemen’s Houthis targeting commercial vessels.
Beyond its naval version, Kentavros also has a land-based configuration. Recently, it was successfully integrated with the BARAK-MX Air and Missile Defence system from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), achieving fully unified Command and Control (C2) operations.
The integration allows a combination of Hard Kill and Soft Kill options within a centralised C2 environment, enhancing response flexibility against UAV threats.
BARAK-MX capabilities
The BARAK-MX system is internationally recognised and operationally tested, capable of countering a wide range of threats, from fighter jets and cruise missiles to ballistic missiles. The combined deployment of Kentavros anti-drone and BARAK-MX significantly boosts Cyprus’ defensive posture amid regional security challenges.
Also read: Greek frigates expected to reach Cyprus on Wednesday
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