The number of drones (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) available to Civil Protection during the 2025 fire season will almost double, increasing to 80 from 47 in the previous year, following a donation of 6 million euros from the Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator (HEDNO) to the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection. The donation was announced in a press conference held at the climate crisis and civil protection ministry on Tuesday, attended by Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Giannis Kefalogiannis, as well as Environment and Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou.
The donation concerns the leasing of 80 UAVs and the provision of relevant flight time for the aerial surveillance of selected periurban forest areas. The main purpose is the early warning and prevention of fires, as well as the coverage of other operational needs of the Fire Department during 2025 fire season.
The UAVs include both airborne surveillance units and corresponding operational management centers, ensuring continuous and reliable surveillance. They are equipped with advanced detection and artificial intelligence systems for monitoring critical areas and the immediate detection and recognition of incidents. Surveillance will be carried out on a 24-hour basis, covering a number of strategic forest areas, with data transmitted in real time to the competent authorities for reliable decision-making.
At the same time, through aerial surveillance, critical infrastructure will be protected, impacts on the electricity transmission and distribution system will be prevented, useful information will be provided for the coordination of ground forces in operational incidents, while mapping and damage assessment, as well as the search for missing persons, will be facilitated, both day and night.
At the same time, he referred to the strengthening of the Fire Brigade, which, as he emphasised, "has been reinforced with an even greater number" of mainly permanent personnel.
"In total, including seasonal workers, we will reach 18,000 people, men and women, in the Fire Department. Together with the thousands of volunteers from both the Fire Department and voluntary organisations, by utilising the aerial means that we will have - either from the national fleet, or from those rented, based on the agreement - but also by utilising the large "Aegis" programme, through which we will be able to have sufficient vehicles, both this year and in the following years when the national fleet will be strengthened, we are proceeding with the best possible planning in view of this summer," underlined Kefalogiannis.
On his part, Papastavrou thanked all those involved in the initiative and stressed: "The fire-protection of our forests, our natural wealth, inhabited areas and above all human life, is a non-negotiable priority. The climate crisis is here and obliges us to be in a state of constant readiness and vigilance.
"For this reason, we are deploying better and more modern means to formulate a prevention plan that primarily protects communities and the environment, ultimately ensuring the future of our country. It is our duty to our homeland and future generations." 
HEDNO president Anastasios Manos, on his part, noted: "With this donation, we seal the excellent cooperation that we have had so far with both ministries and, of course, we look forward to our mutual support to continuing our effective and coordinated effort for as long as we have the opportunity and responsibility to protect our citizens, to protect our infrastructure, to protect our country."