Whether it’s the troopship Duro, new wheeled infantry fighting vehicles including mortars, Israeli drones or the new aeronautical radio ground system – again and again the Department of Defense (DDPS) has additional costs in the millions and sometimes delays of several years.
And now the purchase of the new airspace surveillance system for the Swiss Air Force is also considerably more expensive than expected. The costs rise from 155 million to 314 million francs. The DDPS confirms research by Radio SRF.
“We will have to investigate this carefully”
“We have only been able to take note of the extra costs, but we do not yet know the exact reasons,” says SVP alderman Werner Salzmann (60). The chairman of the Security Policy Committee in the Council of States is therefore not yet able to assess whether unfortunate circumstances led to the cost debacle or whether mistakes were made. “We will certainly have to check that carefully.”
One thing is clear: the Swiss military needs a new airspace surveillance and deployment control system. Three years ago, the DDPS opted for the French Skyview system. In 2000, it approved a total of 155 million francs for the purchase. It is now clear that another CHF 159 million will be added. The DDPS justified the huge price increase with extra costs for the network and encryption.
Amherd has engaged external auditors
This results in two additional credits of CHF 61 million and CHF 98 million respectively. The extra credits are in the 2023 Army Bulletin, a DDPS spokesperson says. The extra credits are needed to replace Florako’s management system and to purchase hardware and expand the data centers of the DDPS. At the time of Skyview’s purchase decision, it was still unclear to what extent and from when these systems should have been available.
In mid-November, Defense Minister Viola Amherd (60) instructed accounting firm BDO to conduct an external audit of the additional appropriations. According to the DDPS, it is now being investigated whether and, if so, which errors were made. It is also examined whether the handling of risks was understandable. In addition, it is being investigated how such an additional requirement can be prevented in the future. The DDPS announces the results of the external audit.
Parliament will probably only have its fist in its pocket
The renewed VBS debacle causes a frown in the House of Representatives. Parliamentarians are amazed that the cost of an IT project can double in such a short time. In the end, however, they probably have no choice but to agree to the extra credits with their fists in their pockets.
“Since the additional costs will be integrated into the army message of 2023, parliament can still decide on this,” says alderman Salzmann. However, “The Air Force is dependent on the operational control system.” However, it remains to be seen whether the DDPS will have to compensate for the cost overruns or cover the budget increases for the army that have already been decided. (dba)