Switzerland could abandon the Hermes drone at the end of the summer

Swiss Defense Minister Martin Pfister must resolve a. However, headache before the end of summerImage: watson

Warnings about the risks surrounding the purchase of a “luxury” drone had not failed in 2015. Similarly, But despite everything, a majority of the Federal Parliament validated the project. Similarly, It has already cost 300 million, but is now likely to fall into the water.

Henry Habegger

He had to do miracles. However, Larger. Consequently, quieter, endowed with a period switzerland could abandon hermes drone of autonomy greater than that of the old Ranger model, adapted to all time, providing much better images, which can be engaged in almost all circumstances. In addition. For example, thanks to a revolutionary avoidance system, the new drone should be able to fly by day independently in unsecured spaces.

These were the promises in 2015. Meanwhile, when the bourgeois majority of the Federal Parliament brought the purchase of six hermes 900 recognition drones from the Israeli manufacturer Elbit for 250 million francs.

Lea civil authorities had to benefit – Switzerland could abandon hermes drone

It is not only the army that was to take advantage of this super machine. For example, but also the civil authorities: cantonal driving staff, police and rescue bodies-and especially the border guards.

During the switzerland could abandon hermes drone 2015 armament program debate, UDC Soleurois National Councilor Roland Borer said:

The Minister of Defense. Consequently, Ueli Maurer said at the time that we could thus monitor large portions of the territory: “With six devices, we can operate on two spaces at the same time, for example in Ticino, Eastern Switzerland, Geneva or another area.”

It is imposing. Therefore, expensive, but it still does not work switzerland could abandon hermes drone properly. However, The Hermes 900 was presented in December 2019 on the basis of Emmen.Image: KEYSTONE

This miraculous device was to be active in 2019. It still does not fly to date.

Five of the six copies have indeed been delivered, but nothing can be done. Especially because the so much anti-collision system does not work. The drone fails to avoid obstacles such as paragliders.

Customs deprived of his eyes – Switzerland could abandon hermes drone

For the border guards. this delay poses a major problem while fraudsters of all kinds are probably very happy. The army having put its former drone to rebuild. the Ranger, at the end of 2019, the customs has since been found without these precious allies.

When questioned. switzerland could abandon hermes drone Additionally, the Federal Customs and Front Safety Office confirms that Hermes drones have never been used by the border guards.

Customs does not wish to dwell on the drawbacks that this generates for the fight against organized crime. the strips of thugs. A spokesperson is content to evoke the problems related to “resources and means of intervention available and routine checks”.

We will not be told if the border guards have alternatives to this inoperative equipment. The authorities refuse to comment “for reasons of intervention tactics”, explains the spokesperson.

Drones and F-35: Same debacle?

This drone debacle looks like that of the F-35 combat aircraft. An announced crash. In both cases. the army and the cantors of armaments have proven the warnings of many switzerland could abandon hermes drone experts, such as warnings of the PS and Greens.

At the National Council. the Bernese green Regula Rytz said in 2015:

The Bernese socialist Evi Almann explained that no other country authorized such an anti-collision system:

Evi Allemann had attempted a warning.Image: keystone

The Minister of Defense then. Ueli Maurer, had conversely prophesied, full of optimism:

Roland Borer added: “Experts have guaranteed us that this system will be ready for production in the coming years.”

Federal finance control has been inviting caution for a long time-another analogy with the F-35. In the latest report on the issue. published in January 2025, specialists wonder:

And to add, worried:

Overwhelming

According to finance control, “suppliers are not reliable and the project management has trouble guide and manage them”. In addition to the manufacturer Elbit, Ruag, the company of the Confederation, participates in the construction of the avoidance system. Conclusion: the drone project is “in bad shape”. and this results “first of all from a combination of overly ambitious objectives, deficient planning and piloting, as well as insufficient risk management and quality”.

For Viola Amherd. former Minister of Defense, there was never any question of abandoning.Image: keystone

At the start of the year. under the supervision of Viola Amherd, the DDPS, the Federal Department of Defense, was still determined and combative. There was no question of a renunciation, because nearly 300 million had already been spent. But the arrival of Martin Pfister in the Federal Council in his place. his willingness to break with the uses of the past have changed the situation.

Martin Pfister.Keystone

A choice before the end of summer

Last Saturday. the head of armaments, Urs Loher said on SRF that the abandonment represented one of the three “variants”. The other two consist. either to continue, that is to say injecting money and crossing your fingers so that it works. Either to give up “certain features”. So perhaps at the famous system-collisions. Loher, however, stressed that these famous “features” had in fact already been paid.

Martin Pfister has until the end of the summer to choose one of switzerland could abandon hermes drone these three scenarios.

(Translated from German by Valentine Zenker)

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