During August and September 2024, the Federal Office for Defense Procurement (Armasuisse) is performing trials for defense against mini drones with several systems. The trials are intended to provide insights on the efficiency of the drone defense systems. The aim of this procurement project is to systematically establish capabilities in drone defence within the framework of the Army Dispatch 2027. Between 26 August and 20 September 2024, the Federal Office for Armasuisse is testing various domestic and foreign systems for defense against mini drones, supported by the group Defense and the RUAG. Over a period of four weeks, each system will undergo various standardize scenarios and missions. The goal of this procedure is to evaluate the suitability as well as the efficiency of the systems chosen for the trials in various different threat scenarios. The missions range from simple recognition scenarios to complex tasks which specifically challenge the weaknesses of the defense systems.
The trials of the first two weeks (26 August to 6 September 2024) are taking place on the terrain of the Payerne military airfield in the Canton of Vaud. The trials are focusing on sensory analysis and the command and control systems (command and control, C2), the core of a drone defense system. A key objective of the trials is to assess the efficiency of command and control systems. To be able to ensure subsequent integration of new sensor and effector technologies, particular attention is being paid to the flexibility of the command and control systems. This ensures that drone defense is always maintained at the state-of-the-art. The trials of the last two weeks (9 to 20 September 2024) will take place on the former military airfield in St. Stephan, Canton of Bern. The focus of the first phase is on effectors in the electromagnetic spectrum, to collect further insights in this area. Effectors can take specific measures to neutralize a drone or to render it harmless.
In the second phase, however, the focus is on tests with various small systems which also function in the electromagnetic spectrum. These consist of few components, are highly mobile and accordingly can be used flexibly. Among other usages, these systems can thus support emergency services, which can use them for protection at events, for example. The trials aim to provide insights into the current development status of the tested drone defense systems. The knowledge gained forms an important basis for the further steps in the procurement process of possible systems and thus for closing the capability gap in defense against mini drones. After the collected data has been analyzed, selected systems will then also be tested with the forces. With the Armed Forces Dispatch 2027, it is planned to procure an efficient and sustainable drone defense system to strengthen the defence capability of the Swiss Armed Forces and make a contribution to the security of Switzerland.
The Federal Office for Defence Procurement (Armasuisse) is a federal agency of the Swiss Confederation. It is the procurement organization for armaments of Switzerland and is affiliated with the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport. Armasuisse employs around 750 people. The budget was 217 million Swiss francs in 2006. National Armaments Director is Dr. Urs Loher. The Armasuisse group covers many skills as a provider with a broad field of activity. This ranges from the evaluation, procurement, maintenance and liquidation of materials and systems for the Comprehensive Real Estate Management in VBS to ensuring scientific and technical services. Main clients and partners is the army.
