Switzerland Decides to Ease Requirements for Israeli Drones Instead of Abandoning Them

The Swiss army has decided not to cancel the purchase of Israeli Hermes 900 drones, despite years of delays and several operational shortcomings, but instead to reduce the requirements for them.

Swissinfo reported on this.

Six reconnaissance ADS-15 drones (the Swiss designation for the Israeli Hermes 900 from the company Elbit), ordered by the Swiss Armed Forces, are years behind schedule and have failed to meet the set requirements. After taking office, Swiss Defense Minister Martin Pfister announced the intention to review whether it would be worth abandoning the purchase or certain parts of it. The program, which was initially scheduled to be fully implemented by 2019, is now expected to be delayed until 2029.

The Federal Department of Defense, the Federal Department of Armaments, and the army have reached a compromise – the project will not be canceled. At the same time, the drones will not be equipped with an automatic obstacle avoidance system, a GPS-independent takeoff and landing system, or an anti-icing system.

These three features that the Israeli manufacturer Elbit and the Swiss defense company RUAG initially committed to. However, according to the Ministry of Defense, it is not possible to implement this functionality.

The Federal Department of Defense’s decision means certain limitations in usage. For example, flights will be impossible during icy conditions, and in uncontrolled airspace during the day, the drones will need to be accompanied by other aircraft.

However, even in the reduced configuration, the project cannot be considered completed. According to a statement from the Federal Department of Defense, technical risks remain in the software and control systems. At the same time, Elbit has promised to cover the fixed costs under the service contract for up to eight years as compensation for the loss of some functionality.