Switzerland’s ambitious procurement of six reconnaissance drones is teetering on the brink of cancellation after heavy delays and repeated technical failures. The government-approved project—originally budgeted at CHF 250 million in 2015—has ballooned to nearly CHF 300 million, with little to show in terms of operational capability. While five of the six drones have been delivered by the Israeli supplier, none of them yet meet Switzerland’s standards for autonomous surveillance, in part due to missing critical systems.

The most glaring deficiencies are the failed delivery of the automated landing system, the absence of de-icing capability, and the lack of a reliable obstacle detection system. These features were key requirements for safe, unattended operations in Swiss airspace, especially to avoid collisions with objects like paragliders. Deadlines for these components slipped multiple times—from a promised September delivery to revised dates of January and June this year—but all milestones were missed.

Now, under mounting pressure, the Department of Defence is considering three options: continue with the project as is, modify features while accepting limitations, or outright cancel the acquisition. The head of the armaments office has described cancellation as the worst possible outcome, given that most funds have already been spent and the supplier has made significant investments. The prospect of a lengthy legal battle with the manufacturer adds to the project's complexity.

Financial auditors and defence analysts have peppered the initiative with criticism, pointing to flawed planning, risk mismanagement, and overly ambitious goals. A government review has concluded that full autonomous operation may not be achieved until 2029, significantly later than the original target of 2019. With no robust escalation path or fallback strategy, the drones may remain grounded indefinitely.

Political opinion is sharply divided. Some coalition members insist that modified drones, even with reduced functionality, could still offer sufficient utility if the trade-off is acceptable. Others argue for a clean break, citing available alternatives and the need for Switzerland to collaborate more closely with European partners when acquiring military technologies.

Defense Minister Martin Pfister is expected to deliver a final decision by the end of summer. His broader mandate includes reviewing all major defence procurement projects, including the controversial F‑35 programme and upgrades to airspace defence. He has initiated a comprehensive oversight division to evaluate scope, cost alignment, digital safety, and project timelines for all top-tier military contracts.

In the meantime, Switzerland is also investing in a national drone task force aimed at developing smaller domestically produced UAVs for reconnaissance and potential combat roles. With CHF 47 million earmarked through 2027 for indigenous designs, the government is seeking to reduce future dependency on slow or unreliable external suppliers.

At a critical juncture, Switzerland faces a pivotal choice: prolong an overpriced, stalled legacy program or pivot toward home-grown and collaborative solutions. With every month of delay, the original justification for the drones — strengthening national surveillance capabilities — erodes, and public confidence wanes. The coming weeks may mark whether this project becomes an emblem of failed ambition, or a catalyst for smarter procurement and national innovation in Swiss defense.

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