Defense Army pushes ahead with drone trials in Elm GL
The Swiss Armed Forces conducted further drone tests in Elm GL on Monday. Media representatives were given an insight into the field trials at the Wicheln firing range.
18.05.2026, 16:52
SDA
According to a statement from the Swiss Armed Forces, mini drones can be used for reconnaissance and reconnaissance tasks. They enable intelligence gathering without putting human lives at risk. However, they are also used for attacks in current conflicts. For example, in the war in Ukraine. The Swiss Armed Forces write: "If the drones are equipped with explosive charges, they become precision weapons that can be used to engage targets."
Pilots trained
The Swiss Armed Forces therefore trained 20 members of the armed forces as pilots of so-called first-person view drones (FPV drones) as part of field trials in the fall of 2025 and are now training the use of these drones together with combat units. First-person view means that the pilots see the images from the drones in real time via video goggles. In the case of the field trial in Elm, attack drones were tested and demonstrated to the media present.
The field trials, carried out by the Competence Center Drones and Robotics Defence, are continuing this year. "They serve to test the interaction between drone strike teams and combat units and to develop operational procedures," writes the army.
Drones tested
Back in December 2025, the drone task force tested various attack and defense drones at the Hinterrhein GR firing range. According to the task force, the aim was to explore the market and make a qualitative assessment of the drone systems used in order to determine their technological maturity.
The drone task force was founded in December 2024 by the Federal Department of Defense, Civil Protection and Sport in response to the growing threat.
