Switzerland’s Hermes 900 procurement faces further delays and headwinds
Switzerland has already received two Hermes 900 Starliner UAVs in 2022. (Photo: Armasuisse)
The Swiss Federal Audit Office has disclosed in a recent audit report that Elbit Systems’ Hermes 900 StarLiner UAV acquisition for Switzerland will meet all military requirements by 2029 “at the earliest”.
According to the Swiss Federal Audit Office, it also noted that the additionally required escort aircraft would cause the operating and maintenance costs to be “considerably higher” than those communicated in the 2015 armament programme.
“In armasuisse's [the Federal Office for Defence Procurement] view, the cause of the delays lies mainly with the suppliers RUAG and Elbit, the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East,” the audit stated.
Related Articles
Switzerland completes Hermes 900 UAV roll tests
In 2015, Switzerland awarded Elbit Systems a €230 million (US$256 million) procurement contract for six Hermes 900 UAVs with heavy fuel engines, to replace its ageing ADS 95 reconnaissance drone system.
Elbit had originally, reportedly, scheduled deliveries in 2019. Yet, the programme experienced its first set of delays and delivered only two UAVs in 2022 with a 2023 timeline schedule for the remaining four.
In 2023, an extension for the project was reportedly agreed up to the end of 2026, with Elbit agreeing to deliver an additional support package and extend the warranty of the Hermes 900 to Switzerland as compensation for the delay of the four further UAVs.
On the two UAVs already delivered, the Federal Audit Office also claimed that the Federal Office for Defence Procurement (armasuisse) found “major quality deficiencies” after the systems were handed over in 2023.
Further, the audit stated that there were “considerable doubts” as to whether RUAG – the technology partner of the Swiss Armed Forces - could equip the UAVs with a Detect and Avoid system on time.
The heavy-fuel engine powered uncrewed aerial system is a derivative of the Hermes 900. According to Elbit Systems, it provides an improved climb rate, extended endurance and maximum speed compared to the base version.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Hermes 900 StarLiner [Switzerland]
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
Ukraine’s fighter fleet boosted with France’s Mirage 2000s and extra Netherlands’ F-16s
The first Dassault Mirage 2000 aircraft have finally been delivered to Ukraine, as confirmed by France’s defence minister on 6 February. They will join the F-16s already in service to bolster Ukrainian air defence.
-
Sikorsky advances Black Hawk modernisation with new engine ground tests
The UH-60 helicopter ground run test of the T901 engine is the first in a set of tests for boosting the helicopter’s range and lift capacity. The first flight of the improved engine Black Hawk is anticipated for later in 2025.
-
US Navy’s next-generation sensor for Super Hornets achieves Initial Operating Capability
The full rate production decision is scheduled for first-half 2025 and this will authorise the US Navy (USN) to fully outfit its carrier-based F/A-18E/F Super Hornet squadrons with InfraRed Search-and-Track (IRST) Block II.
-
USAF conducts first F-16 Block 70 flight of L3Harris’ Viper Shield
The Viper Shield electronic warfare suite was tested by the US Air Force’s 412th Test Wing at Edwards Air Force Base, with L3Harris aiming for deliveries of the system to international customers by late 2025.