How a Greek Frigate Solves the West’s Cost Problem Against Iranian Drone Swarms

2026-03-14 - 10:15

The Greek Frigate Psara provides a battle-tested shield against low-cost drone threats in Cyprus. Credit: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain The Greek frigate Psara possesses the single most critical military capability in the ongoing conflict between Iran, Israel, and the US: the battle-tested expertise to defeat cheap, low-signature drone swarms without depleting multimillion-dollar missile stockpiles. This highly specific, economical approach to air defense is exactly why the Greek Navy deployed the warship to Cyprus two weeks ago. The true value of the frigate Psara in this Middle Eastern war is the knowledge of its crew in this type of warfare. Western navies that are trying to protect the Eastern Mediterranean with their defensive involvement in this war are currently fighting a mathematically unsustainable war of attrition. Warships routinely use exceptionally expensive interceptor missiles costing upwards of $2 million to destroy cheap, incoming Iranian-designed drones that cost roughly $20,000 to manufacture. The West is facing a clear problem: It simply cannot afford to shoot down every cheap incoming threat with premium interceptors. The crew of the Psara possesses the rare, practical experience required to flip this reality, and the US, Israel, and NATO broadly know this. The experience of the crew of the Greek Frigate Psara The crew of the Greek frigate Psara acquired this expertise during a rigorous 2024 deployment in the Red Sea under EU Operation “Aspides.” Engaging Houthi militants, who rely on the exact same Iranian drone technology currently threatening the broader region, the Greek sailors developed and executed a highly effective, low-cost interception doctrine. They remain one of the few naval crews globally with frontline experience in neutralizing these specific threats without using too expensive defense systems. The crew’s proven methodology relies on a seamless integration of electronic warfare and traditional naval guns. Operating the Greece-built Centaur (Kentavros) system, the sailors use focused radio-frequency jamming to interfere with the link between an Iranian-designed drone and its operator, disrupting the swarm at the mere cost of electricity. When electronic interference is not enough, this shield is backed by a highly effective “hard kill” approach. During a crucial July 7, 2024, engagement against four attacking drones, the Psara demonstrated this exact one-two punch. After the Centaur system interfered with the swarm, the crew utilized the ship’s 127mm Mk 45 main gun to achieve gunning down the drones, successfully downing two of the enemy UAVs. By firing proximity-fused shells that cost between $2,000 and $5,000 per engagement, the warship can physically destroy hundreds of incoming drones for the exact same price as a single high-tier interceptor missile. How Greece is shielding Cyprus Following the recent drone strikes on RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus urgently needed a counter-swarm specialist in the Eastern Mediterranean. Deployed to the island two weeks ago, the Psara now operates along with the Greek Navy’s advanced Belharra-class frigate, the Kimon. The two vessels execute a layered defense strategy. The Kimon handles high-altitude ballistic threats using its sophisticated Sea Fire radar and Aster 30 missiles. Operating beneath this coverage, the Psara applies its crew’s hard-earned expertise, acting as a dedicated gatekeeper against low-altitude drone swarms.