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It is one of the most ambitious procurement projects of the Swiss army. But it’s in dire straits: The federal government is currently buying six high-tech Hermes 900 reconnaissance drones from an Israeli manufacturer for 250 million Swiss francs, but the project has been derailed in the last twelve months. This is reported by the “Tages-Anzeiger”.
On the one hand, there are significant cost overruns. According to internal situation reports from the Armaments Office of Armasuisse, they already amount to more than 50 million francs. The reasons are currency fluctuations, but also setbacks in the Department of Defense (DDPS). At the same time, the crisis of the crown also plays a role.
A streetlight
On the other hand, the delivery of the drones is considerably delayed. Actually, all six drones should already be in use by the Swiss military today. But they are still with the manufacturer in Israel. A presentation in December 2019 to the Swiss media was a single hoax, according to the newspaper’s judges. The drone never took off.
Armasuisse itself currently recognizes that drones will not be fully operational until the summer of 2023. Two and a half years later than planned. Until then, the army must use helicopters for reconnaissance flights, for example at the border to discover illegal crossings. That is more expensive and more complex.
With security politicians like the Green National Councilor Marionna Schlatter (40) that provokes criticism. She uses Twitter to point out that DDPS acquisitions break regularly.
Even termination is not excluded
According to the “Tages-Anzeiger”, it is questionable whether the drones will be ready to operate in 2023. They have not yet passed basic technical tests. Furthermore, a drone bound for Switzerland crashed and crashed during a test flight in the Israeli desert last August.
Since then, Israel’s Ministry of Transport has been investigating the causes of the accident. Before this investigation has been completed, no statement can be made on whether and with what additional measures the drone will be approved for aerial use.
The DDPS currently assumes that Defense Minister Viola Amherd (58) will have to petition parliament for additional funding in the spring. But: Even the termination of the hiring cannot be ruled out. (dba)
