Greece looking at drone boats to patrol the Greek-Turkish border at Evros

By 2 years ago

As Turkey continues to weaponise illegal immigrants against Greece, Athens is considering the use of unmanned drone boats to patrol the Greek-Turkish border in the Evros region, along with a string of other security measures.

In the coming days, Greek authorities are expected to start an effort for the electronic fortification of the Evros fence, which separates Greece from Turkey.

Given that winter is approaching and the waters in the river are expected to rise considerably, one of the key deterrent measures will be boat patrols in the river Evros.

To this end, the automated surveillance system that will be present on the fence will also be installed on the patrol boats.

The patrolling boats will have cameras day and night, special radars that will detect movements, and will be able to record exactly what is happening on the territory of Turkey at any time.

This system is so advanced, that officers staffing the Evros security facilities are seeking to acquire unmanned boats, which will be able to patrol the river normally regardless of weather conditions.

On 28 February 2020, the Turkish government announced it was unilaterally opening its borders to Greece to allow refugees and illegal immigrants to reach the European Union and transported tens of thousands of people to the Greek-Turkish border along the Evros River.

The migrants reached the border through white buses and taxis and were supplied with Turkish ammunition. A Turkish armored car even attempted to break the border fence with no success.

Greek police forces, with the help of citizens, managed with fire extinguishers, lighting and loudspeakers, as well as by repairing the fence, to prevent the erratic invasion.

The Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis finally closed the border due to COVID-19.

READ MORE: Turkey drops underwater "microphones" in the Aegean Sea to "listen" to Greek submarines.

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Athens Bureau