Naval Group and Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to begin talks on integrating the combat-proven CENTAUR counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) aboard the FDI HN frigates and with potential expansion to other surface vessels.
At DEFEA 2025, Naval News learned that Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Naval Group to integrate the combat-proven CENTAUR counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) aboard the Hellenic Navy’s Kimon-class (FDI HN) frigates, with plans to extend the integration to other surface vessels, including the French Navy’s FDI frigates. This agreement aims to enhance the frigates’ capabilities with a fully integrated solution for countering the growing threat of unmanned aerial systems—from detection to interception.
As previously reported by Naval News, the Hellenic Navy’s FDI frigates will be equipped with an integrated radar-electronic countermeasure (R-ECM) system featuring two jamming subsystems. This includes the R-ECM subsystem of VIRGILIUS from Italian manufacturer Elt Group—already in service on PPAs and set to equip FREMM EVO—integrated with Thales software into the ship’s electronic warfare (EW) suite. The addition of HAI’s CENTAUR system will further enhance the frigates’ EW capabilities, with a dedicated focus on countering UAVs.
Naval News visited HAI’s booth and obtained details on the final industrialized version of the CENTAUR system, whose prototype has been successfully deployed in the Red Sea and is currently in service aboard Hydra-class (MEKO 200HN) frigates, demonstrating strong performance against UAV threats. HAI also unveiled a new lightweight and compact C-UAS system, named IPERION, which was presented to the public for the first time.
IPERION C-UAS
IPERION’s compact size and modular configuration make it suitable not only for large warships but also for smaller platforms, such as patrol vessels. It is an anti-drone system designed for the detection, identification and neutralization of NATO Class 1 and Class 2 drone swarms.
IPERION integrates a passive 3D detection and tracking capability with advanced electronic countermeasure (ECM) technologies, ensuring full 360-degree hemispherical coverage -individually, in combination, or simultaneously- without the need for any mechanical or moving parts.
IPERION is optimized for mast-top installation, enabling effective ESM, ELINT, SIGINT operations, and electronic countermeasure (ECM) jamming. It offers a detection and identification range of up to 10 km for UAVs. Its jamming capabilities cover all major satellite navigation systems—including GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou. The system’s intelligent jammer can autonomously and simultaneously neutralize multi-directional drone swarms in all directions.
CENTAUR C-UAS
CENTAUR is a much more powerful C-UAS system than IPERION with additional capabilities. It is a long range detection and identification system specifically designed to counter NATO Class 2 and Class 3 categories. The system provides early recognition of UAV threats at ranges exceeding the 150km, delivering extended situational awareness and valuable response time for effective engagement through its integrated counter-UAS subsystem. Operating entirely on passive detection principles, CENTAUR offers a low electromagnetic signature and is virtually undetectable by hostile sensors.
CENTAUR supports effective ESM, ELINT, and SIGINT operations, as well as electronic countermeasure (ECM) jamming, utilizing both passive and active sensors. It offers automatic radiolocation through triangulation and can manage multiple targets simultaneously.
The system consists of a passive receiver (direction finder) installed on the frigate’s mast, capable of locking onto multiple targets at extremely long distances, the consoles for the operators, while the jammer, installed on the ship’s bridge roof, is remotely controlled and can cover the ship’s forward arc. This jammer can automatically track targets and, as previously mentioned, uses an advanced algorithm to make focused jamming, meaning it jams with all its energy on the single frequency the target is operating on, a truly innovative feature of the system.
As previously reported by Naval News, CENTAUR is a battle-proven system, having successfully intercepted and neutralized three Houthi UAVs in the Red Sea. The finalized configuration of CENTAUR will equip all four Hydra-class frigates and will be complemented by a long-range electro-optical sensor (EOS) by Miltech Hellas, positioned near the jammer to ensure coordinated operation.
