Thousands gathered in Thessaloniki for this year’s military parade on the anniversary of “OXI” Day, which commemorates the decisive “No” given by Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas to an Italian ultimatum on October 28, 1940, leading to Greece’s entry into World War II and symbolizing national resistance.
The parade takes place in the presence of numerous high-ranking dignitaries: President of the Hellenic Republic, Konstantinos Tasoulas, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Ministers of Defense for both Greece and Cyprus, the leaders of the opposition parties PASOK and SYRIZA, representatives of other political parties, the Mayor of Thessaloniki, and the leadership of the Hellenic Armed Forces.
The parade was not just a historical tribute but a significant showcase of military innovation, particularly featuring advanced Greek-made defense technology designed for modern warfare, with a strong emphasis on Greek-made anti-drone and AI-enabled systems.
Counter-drone and electronic warfare systems showcased at the “OXI” parade
The parade featured several key Greek-built systems designed to neutralize the growing threat of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs):
“Kentauros” (Centaur) Anti-Drone System: The Greek-made system, which has been successfully tested on Hellenic frigates participating in “Operation Aspides” in the Red Sea. It has proven effective in thwarting attacks by Houthi drones.
“Hyperion” (Υπερίων) Electronic Warfare Weapon: The public was introduced to this electronic warfare weapon, which is capable of shooting down enemy drones. It is designated for use by surface units of the Hellenic Navy.
Robotic EOD System: Also on display was a robotic system dedicated to the neutralization of improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Aerial Assets and Ground Armor
The aerial and ground components of the parade highlighted modern protection and intelligence capabilities:
Drones and AI-Enabled UAVs: The parade featured the Greek-manufactured “Archytas” drone, alongside a variety of mini-drones from the Hellenic Naval Academy. Additionally, Greece will showcase unmanned and autonomous helicopters, as well as Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) UAVs that utilize Artificial Intelligence capabilities.
Upgraded Armor: The Hellenic Army featured its Leopard main battle tanks equipped with special “cages” designed to protect the tank turrets against potential top-down missile or drone strikes.
Among other systems, the parade included a range of missiles and the latest-generation guided bombs with high operational capabilities.
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