Switzerland Commits to Home-Made Attack and Reconnaissance Drones.

On July 9, 2024, Switzerland officially took steps to enhance its military drone capabilities by establishing a "Drone Task Force" to address the increasing challenges posed by the modern use of drones in armed conflicts. Previously, Switzerland had only ordered six Hermes 900 HFE reconnaissance drones from the Israeli manufacturer Elbit Systems in 2015. Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

The ADS 15 Reconnaissance drone at Emmen military airfield (Picture source: VBS-DDPS)

This announcement was made during a roundtable that brought together defense industry representatives and the Federal Department of Defense (DDPS) under the auspices of the Federal Office of Armaments (armasuisse). This meeting concluded with the announcement of the creation of the "Drone Task Force" in June 2024, signaling an awareness and proactive action regarding the vital role of drones in modern warfare. The ambitious project of this new unit is to independently develop small and medium-sized drones for attack and reconnaissance missions, with an emphasis on self-sufficiency in developing these technologies. The first tests of Swiss-made drones are scheduled for 2025.

In March 2024, the Swiss Army had already announced, through its chief, the intention to invest in drones. Nearly 800 million Swiss francs will be invested to test drones. These are not only for surveillance and reconnaissance but also for armed drones.

The Swiss parliamentary context has also reflected a growing concern for adapting to drone technologies. Over the last decade, Parliament has dealt with various aspects of drone usage, from the regulation of civilian drones to debates on military acquisitions. A notable example was the controversial purchase of six surveillance drones from the Israeli company Elbit in 2015 for 300 million francs, a project that encountered multiple delays, pushing the operational deployment of the drones to 2026.

The use of drones, especially economical "microdrones," has been recognized as an increasingly crucial and disruptive component in modern conflicts, as evidenced by the wars in Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and other regions. The threat posed by these small but effective devices was highlighted by political figures such as National Councillor Pierre-Alain Fridez, who criticized Switzerland's slow integration of these technologies despite their relatively low cost and proven effectiveness.

Recognizing the urgent need to act in the face of rapidly evolving military technology, the Federal Council accepted the necessity to update with modern armaments, including armed drones and loitering munitions. This decision ultimately led to the formation of the task force, marking a significant step in aligning Switzerland with its international contemporaries in the defense field.

As Switzerland advances with its drone projects, it faces a constant challenge: balancing technological innovation with the imperatives of national security and defense in a complex and rapidly changing geopolitical environment. The recent commitment shows a determination to navigate effectively in this new era of technological warfare, with profound implications for national and international security.