As a result of the delays, Israeli provider Elbit must pay contractual penalties, a spokesman for army procurement agency Armasuisse told SRF on Friday.
The reconnaissance drones, one of which was successfully tested in Switzerland in summer this year, will be ready and operational at the end of 2024, the spokesman confirmed. After the test flight, it had been hoped that two drones would be handed over to the air force by the end of this year, and the army would have all six by the end of 2023.
According to SRF, the cost of the six machines is now estimated at CHF300 million ($321 million). In June, there was still talk of CHF 250 million. Armasuisse said the additional expenditure is due to exchange rate fluctuations.
More
More
Swiss army uses drone technology. Should we worry?
This content was published on
The same small drones that search for missing people and transport medicines are increasingly being used on the battlefield.
Switzerland has had to go without reconnaissance drones since 2019, when previous models were taken out of service after 20 years. Originally, the new system was to be introduced gradually from 2019. One reason for the delays was that a drone intended for Switzerland crashed in August 2020.
In addition to military use, the drones can also be used by civilian agencies like cantonal command staffs, police and rescue agencies or the border authorities – the Swiss border guards are currently using helicopters.
Even before the current delay, the drones generated controversy. In 2015, when the order was approved by the Swiss parliament, there was criticism about the purchase of Israeli military technology. And in Jaunary 2022, a Senate committee issued a report stating that the purchase represented a “considerable risk” for Switzerland.
Is your place of origin, your Heimatort, important to you?
Every Swiss citizen has a Heimatort, a place of origin, but many have never visited theirs. What’s your relationship with your Heimatort? What does it mean to you?
An atomic ‘tick-tock’ with Swiss technology heads to space to test the Einstein effect
This content was published on
On Monday, the European Space Agency (ESA) launched the ACES set of atomic clocks to measure the effect of gravity on the passage of time.
Swiss Guard swearing-in ceremony postponed following Pope Francis death
This content was published on
The swearing-in ceremony of the Pontifical Swiss Guard, which usually takes place on May 6 each year, has been postponed to a date to be announced next autumn.
Swiss medical device maker Ypsomed to sell diabetes business
This content was published on
Bern-based injection device manufacturer Ypsomed announced on Tuesday that it was selling its diabetes-related activities.
Award-winning Swiss author and scholar Peter von Matt dies aged 87
This content was published on
The Alemannic writer and former professor of German literature Peter von Matt died on Monday in Zurich at the age of 87, following a long illness.
Swiss foreign minister spoke with Iranian counterpart about US dialogue
This content was published on
Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis has spoken with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi about the current dialogue between the US and Iran.
Swiss foreign minister appeals for cohesion and dialogue at Expo in Japan
This content was published on
Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis called for cohesion and dialogue at the opening of the Swiss National Day at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, on Tuesday.
Switzerland postpones launch of emergency number for domestic violence victims
This content was published on
The launch of the “142” emergency number, which aims to help victims of domestic violence in Switzerland, has been postponed to May 2026.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.