Hellenic Air Force Aircraft Depot

Hellenic Air Force Aircraft Depot (KEA)

Company type	Military (government-owned)
Industry	Aerospace, Defence
Predecessor	EAF (Phaliron Aircraft Factory)
Founded	1925
Headquarters	Elefsis Air Base , Greece
Area served	Greece
Owner	Hellenic Air Force Support Command (HAFSC)
Number of employees	2,100+ (World War II period)

The Hellenic Air Force Aircraft Depot, commonly referred to by its acronym KEA (Greek: Κρατικό Εργοστάσιο Αεροπλάνων), and originally established under the name EAF (Εργοστάσιο Αεροπλάνων Φαλήρου, meaning "Phaliron Aircraft Factory"), represents Greece's oldest and most historically significant aircraft manufacturing establishment. Functioning as a military entity, it operates under the Hellenic Air Force Support Command (HAFSC). Since 2012, its operations have been based at Elefsis Air Base.

History

Although the initiative to create an aircraft manufacturing facility was made in 1917, the subsequent conflicts postponed its actual inception until 1925. The factory was situated in Phaliron, near Piraeus, coinciding with the later location of the AEKKEA-RAAB aircraft manufacturer. Initial expertise and management were provided by the British firm Blackburn Aircraft Limited, selected by the Greek military as a collaborative partner. The first model produced at the factory was the T3 Velos, a design originating from Blackburn.

The KEA Chelidon, KEA's inaugural indigenous aircraft design

In 1927, KEA introduced an entirely Greek-designed aircraft, the Chelidon ("Swallow"), a versatile military plane. Some accounts mention involvement of a British engineer in its design team. Powered by a Salmson 120 hp engine, it achieved a top speed of 150 km/h. Despite this, only a single unit was constructed for the Greek Navy due to its perceived inferiority compared to other available models. Subsequently, KEA produced various licensed aircraft models, including multiple Avro 504 variants (504N and 504O), a modified version of the Armstrong Whitworth Atlas differing from the original Armstrong-Whitworth design, and the Avro 621 Tutor. At least 61 Tutors were manufactured, with production reaching seven units monthly by early 1940 as part of Greece’s World War II preparedness.

The enterprise was fully nationalized in January 1938, adopting the official designation KEA. Plans to produce the PZL P.24, Greece’s primary fighter aircraft at that time, along with the Henschel Hs 126K-6 light bomber—an order of 32 units had been placed with KEA—were interrupted by the onset of the Greco-Italian War in October 1940. Nevertheless, there is documented evidence of at least one PZL P.24F being manufactured by KEA. Alongside this fighter and several Avro Tutors incorporated into combat units as liaison planes, these were the sole KEA-built models actively deployed during World War II. The factory’s production scope also encompassed refurbishing captured aircraft, manufacturing bombs, specialized components, and tools, employing over 2,100 personnel throughout the war period. During Greece’s Axis Occupation of Greece, KEA’s facilities were utilized by the German Luftwaffe for technical support purposes. Additionally, parts of its infrastructure located on airfields became targets during Allied bombing campaigns.

Post-war activities saw KEA divisions producing several glider models; however, its primary focus shifted toward maintenance services for the Greek Air Force. The responsibility for new aircraft construction largely transitioned to the newly established Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI). Despite this shift, since the 1990s KEA has manufactured a series of Pegasus unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), developed collaboratively by HAI and a Greek State Research Institute.

Today, this venerable company continues operations under direct command of the Military of Greece.

Aircraft models manufactured

An AS332 Super Puma helicopter positioned before the HAF Aircraft Depot hangar

(The years in brackets denote the commencement of production)

• EAF Blackburn T.3/T.3A Velos (1926). Designed by Blackburn, this aircraft served reconnaissance, training, and bombing roles. A total of 12 units were produced.
• EAF Chelidon (1927). Developed domestically in Greece for training and surveillance purposes. Only one unit was completed out of an initial order of 18.
• EAF Atlas (1931). A cost-effective variant of the Armstrong Whitworth Atlas army co-operation plane featuring modifications in wing design, engine, and propeller. It was found to be inferior to the original model; 10 units were built.
• EAF Avro 504 (1934). Trainer aircraft available in N and O variants. The exact production quantity is unknown.
• Zoegling glider (1937). Four units manufactured.
• KEA Avro 621 (1938). Served as a trainer and liaison aircraft during World War II. At least 61 units were produced.
• Vrona2 glider (1939). Ten units constructed.
• KEA PZL P.24 (1940). Fighter aircraft with a minimum of one unit produced.
• Schneider SG-38 glider (1953). Three units built.
• Cavka glider (1958). Ten units manufactured.
• E1-79 Pegasus (limited production during the 1990s). This UAV was developed by Hellenic Aerospace Industry in collaboration with the Hellenic Air Force Research Institute and introduced in 1982.
• Pegasus II (2005). An enhanced UAV model succeeding the original Pegasus. Sixteen units have been either completed or are currently under construction.

References

• Jane's "All the World's Aircraft" (1928 edition)
• L.S. Skartsis, "Greek Vehicle & Machine Manufacturers 1800 to present: A Pictorial History", Marathon (2012) ISBN 978-960-93-4452-4 (eBook)
• Official Hellenic Air Force site (information about KEA) Archived 2009-02-12 at the Wayback Machine
• Gliders in Greece, by Kostas Pikros (in Greek) Archived 2011-07-21 at the Wayback Machine
• Nikos Christofilis, "Πολεμική Προπαρασκευή της Ελληνικής Αεροπορίας 1936-1940", Doureios Ippos, Athens (2025) ISBN 978-618-80031-8-7