Defence department creates national drone and robotics centre

Switzerland’s Defence Department is creating a civil-military centre for drones and robotics to connect the army with cantons and emergency services, SRF reports. The centre is intended to speed up the development and testing of new drone technology, and will also be available to cantonal police forces.

Defence Minister Martin Pfister, army chief Benedikt Roos and Armasuisse director Urs Loher presented the new Centre for Unmanned Systems at the military training ground in Thun on Thursday.

The centre will have a technology hub and a military command. The hub will bring together the army, Armasuisse, universities, start-ups and industry to pool expertise. New systems will be developed jointly and adapted for military use.

The military command will test the systems under conditions that are as realistic as possible and will be responsible for training. The centre will also be open to other government departments, cantons and emergency services, allowing different organisations to cooperate in drone and robotics technology.

The army is expanding its own capabilities at the same time. From 2028, a drone battalion will be responsible for reconnaissance, operational effects and defence. A dedicated drone recruit school will provide the necessary training.

The Defence Department is also investing in drones and systems to counter them. According to the department, the first counter-drone systems have already been introduced. The 2027 armaments programme includes further funding to protect additional infrastructure and units and to equip the drone battalion.

Because the technology is changing rapidly, the army plans to procure equipment more selectively, in smaller quantities and in shorter cycles. Systems that prove effective are to be deployed quickly and further developed within the army.