Army chief surprised with his plans

State Councilor Alois Gmür (67) is surprised. “Until now, armed drones have never been a problem for us,” explains the member of the safety committee. There was always only talk of reconnaissance drones. It was only recently that the first two of a total of six Israeli drones were handed over to the Swiss Air Force years later than planned.

But now suddenly everything is different. Now the army is also investigating the purchase of weaponized drones, explains army chief Thomas Süssli (56). After parliament decided to increase the army budget last year, Süssli wants to upgrade. As an example, the army chief mentions the Iranian drone Shahed-136, which can accurately hit targets over several 100 kilometers.

Not so long ago, VBS didn’t want to hear about it

They are highly accurate and deadly: combat drones became increasingly important, especially in the war in Ukraine. They destroy enemy tanks, as well as civilian facilities. Such military successes did not go unnoticed in the Federal Palace. As early as last June, in a position paper on the Swiss army, the SVP called for “rapid introduction of armed drones”.

But at the time, the Ministry of Defense (DDPS) of the Central Federal Councilor Viola Amherd (60) wanted nothing to do with it. Armed drones are currently “not a problem”, the DDPS recently told the “NZZ am Sonntag”.

The DDPS could not clarify on Monday how the short-term change of heart came about. But one thing is clear: there is no concrete project yet. Nevertheless, the SVP takes note of the plans with satisfaction: “I am pleased that the army chief is now complying with the SVP’s demands,” says SVP national councilor Mauro Tuena (51), chairman of the Security Policy Committee.

The question of what led to the change of opinion remains unanswered on Tuesday. However, the military points out that Switzerland does not currently have indirect fire support systems capable of operating beyond 100 kilometers. It is currently being investigated whether this capacity will be needed in the future. “In addition to precision munitions from combat aircraft, armed drones are also conceivable,” says the army. Findings from the war in Ukraine would also be taken into account.

Combat drones are controversial in parliament

Combat drones are controversial in parliament. FDP National Councilor Matthias Jauslin stressed in the “NZZ am Sonntag” that combat drones can have a “very big impact” – “without endangering the life of the pilot”. This is a huge advantage and therefore the DDPS should “seriously look into” the procurement.

The left thinks nothing of combat drones. In the case of neutral Switzerland, she doesn’t understand things like that at all, says SP security politician Priska Seiler Graf (54). It is unclear in what scenario such drones should serve. “Against what ‘enemy’ do we need this?” Seiler Graf wonders. “However, what we urgently need would be an effective response to counter drones, so for defense. We still have nothing there.”

Center National Councilor Gmür also wonders how such combat drones should actually be deployed in a defense. “Until now I have seen such armed drones mainly as an offensive weapon,” he clarifies. If it is then a concrete tender, it will certainly be discussed in more detail in parliament.

Source:Blick