Counter-UAS in Switzerland: armasuisse tests systems against mini drones

armasuisse, Switzerland's Federal Office for Defence Procurement, trialled several systems for defending against mini drones in August and September. The aim was to learn what the counter-UAS systems can deliver. Background: such systems are to build up specific capabilities under the Armed Forces Dispatch 2027.

Between 26 August and 20 September, various Swiss and foreign systems had to prove themselves, with the tests supported by the Defence Group and RUAG. Each system ran through several standardised scenarios and missions. The aim was to assess the suitability and effectiveness of the selected systems in different threat scenarios. The missions ranged from simple detection scenarios to complex tasks that deliberately targeted the weaknesses of the defence systems.

Payerne: focus on command systems

The first two weeks took place on the grounds of Payerne military airbase (where an F-35A training centre for pilots and ground crew, expected to create around 40 additional jobs, is to be built in the coming years). The focus there was on sensors and command systems – command and control (C2), the core of every counter-UAS system. The priority was assessing the command systems' efficiency. Their flexibility was examined just as closely, so that new sensor and effector technologies can be integrated later.

St. Stephan: electromagnetic effectors and small systems

For the second part, the trials moved to the former St. Stephan military airfield, where they were divided into two phases. The first phase focused on effectors that act in the electromagnetic spectrum. Additional insight was to be gained here, because effectors can intervene deliberately to neutralise a drone or render it harmless.

The second phase, by contrast, was devoted to various small systems that also operate in the electromagnetic spectrum. As they consist of only a few components, they are highly mobile and flexible to deploy. They could support emergency services, for example in protecting events.

What comes next for counter-drone defence

Above all, the trials were to show how mature the tested counter-UAS systems currently are. According to armasuisse, the findings will be “an important basis for the next steps in the procurement process for possible systems and thus for closing the capability gap in defence against mini drones”. The results will first be evaluated; selected systems will then be tested again together with the troops. A capable and future-proof counter-UAS system is to be procured to strengthen the defence capability of the Swiss Armed Forces and contribute to Switzerland's security.