A bombshell was dropped by Ukrainian media, revealing plans by major Greek companies, spearheaded by GEK TERNA headed by Giorgos Peristeris, to collaborate with American AI giants aiming to create a major weapons systems production hub in the heart of our country, according to a report by Militarnyi.com on October 13.
The issue concerns the deal for the lethal American drone X-BAT in our country, co-signed by TERNA and American company Shield AI.
As becomes clear, through this deal, Greece is transformed into a repair, maintenance, and training hub for NATO drones, deepening its involvement in war fronts and placing... a large target on its back.
At the same time, this strategy of subservience does not appear to favor anyone else besides large corporations enjoying privileged relations with the Mitsotakis government, undertaking on... curious terms a large share of national construction (and not only) projects...
Even if one sets aside the partisan aspect, however, the very decision of Giorgos Peristeris to involve the group in agreements amid multiple destructive wars internationally raises massive questions regarding the corporate governance seriousness of GEK TERNA:
How is it possible to conclude such deals in a country with such a sensitive geostrategic position?
Was geopolitical risk taken seriously...?
The TERNA - Shield AI deal for producing lethal drones in Greece
American company Shield AI and Greek investment and infrastructure group GEK TERNA signed an agreement for the development of an industrial base, integration, and maintenance of promising X-BAT unmanned combat aircraft in Greece.
The agreement provides for domestic component production, the creation of training and repair centers, as well as the development of ground infrastructure, as announced by Shield AI.
«A drone with dimensions of... F-35»
The X-BAT unmanned strike aircraft is designed as a heavy-duty autonomous vehicle with vertical takeoff and landing capabilities.
Thanks to this design philosophy, the drone completely eliminates reliance on runways and can be based on ships or remote islands.
The aircraft's propulsion system is based on the F110 engine from GE Aerospace.
The drone is equipped with internal weapons bays comparable in volume to those of the F-35 fighter and can accommodate munitions weighing up to 900 kilograms.
Tactical and technical specifications provide for an operational combat radius exceeding 1,850 kilometers.
With AI technologies, Shield AI's X-BAT
The design of the craft accommodates the integration of power-intensive electronic warfare systems, as well as domestic reconnaissance and surveillance suites.
Flight autonomy is delivered by artificial intelligence based on Shield AI's Hivemind software.
This system allows the execution of combat missions and aircraft navigation under difficult conditions, without the use of GPS satellite navigation and under conditions of complete loss of communication with the operator.
Inconceivable national danger
For Greece, which defends hundreds of islands in the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, the procurement and domestic manufacture of such aircraft makes it possible to maintain strike capabilities even in the event of destruction of key airfields.
The partnership also includes the involvement of Greek enterprises and scientific institutions in spare parts production and maintenance for countries across the region.
Nevertheless, hosting such a strategic NATO hub in the heart of Greece clearly places a... target on our country's back, particularly in such an unstable geopolitical environment and amid three open war fronts in Ukraine, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Strait of Hormuz.
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