Defense Financial audit harshly criticizes drone procurement project
The federal government must go over the books when procuring a drone reconnaissance system. This is the view of the Swiss Federal Audit Office. Uncertainties jeopardize the project. The suppliers are unreliable and the project management is struggling to manage them.
22.01.2025, 23:00
SDA
Switzerland is currently procuring an unmanned and unarmed drone reconnaissance system. The purchase was approved by parliament in 2015. The project was scheduled for completion in 2019, but has since been postponed to 2026.
However, according to the report published by the Swiss Federal Audit Office (SFAO) on Wednesday, a system will then be delivered that does not meet all requirements. The drones are not expected to be fully operational until 2029 at the earliest.
The SFAO criticizes overly ambitious targets and inadequate planning and control. All options must now be urgently examined. For the Federal Armaments Office (Armasuisse), abandoning the project is not an option. Too much money has already been spent and the army needs the drones.
