Defense Supplier bears service costs for technically slimmed-down drones
Switzerland is procuring a reconnaissance drone system from the Israeli manufacturer Elbit. Because some of the drones' functions have to be dispensed with, the supplier in Israel will cover the fixed costs of the service contract for nine years.
10.11.2025, 16:30
SDA
The Federal Office of Armaments (Armasuisse) and Elbit Systems Ltd. have signed a contract addendum to this effect, as Armasuisse announced on Monday. Elbit will bear the fixed costs for the service contract for the nine years 2024 to 2032.
The procurement of the reconnaissance drone system has been delayed. It should actually have been completed in 2019. Seven years later, at the end of 2026, all the material should be in Switzerland, as Head of Armaments Urs Loher said.
In September, the DDPS, Armasuisse and the army decided to dispense with central functions. The drones will not be equipped with an automatic evasion system, a system for GPS-independent take-offs and landings or a de-icing system. Nevertheless, they would still have central capabilities such as long reconnaissance flights, it was said.
