ATHENS, Sept 18 (Reuters) - Greece plans to buy

Switchblade drones from the United States to further strengthen

its armed forces as it recovers from a decade-long debt crisis,

two sources said on Wednesday.

Athens has drafted a multi-billion, 10-year purchasing plan

that includes acquiring up to 40 new F-35 fighter jets from the

U.S. and three frigates from France.

The Switchblade, made by AeroVironment, Inc. ( AVAV ), flies

to a target and detonates. It has gained attention because the

Ukrainian military is using them to strike Russian troops.

"We have selected the Switchblade type from the U.S.," a

Greek official with knowledge of the issue told Reuters. The

source did not specify how many Athens would buy.

A second official said that the cost will be 75.2 million

euros. The source said the chiefs of staff approved two types of

Switchblade with a range of up to 20 km (12 miles) and up to 40

km.

The supply will complement the country's Spike anti-tank

missiles that Athens agreed to purchase from Israel and plans

send to its islands in the Aegean. Athens also plans to produce

its own drone and anti-drone systems.

Greece and Turkey, NATO allies, have long been at odds over

issues including where their continental shelves start and end,

energy resources, flights over the Aegean, and the ethnically

partitioned island of Cyprus.

The procurement of Switchblades must be also approved by

Greece's top decision-making body on foreign affairs and defence

matters, KYSEA.