Important Facts of the News
- Meeting held on 5 November 2025 in Tel Aviv between Swiss National Armaments Director Urs Loher and Elbit Systems Ltd.
- Discussions centred on the Reconnaissance Drone System 15 (ADS 15) procurement project.
- The Swiss Federal Department of Defence (DDPS) decided on 4 September 2025 to proceed with the ADS 15 project excluding three systems: automatic evasion, GPS-independent take-off and landing, and deicing.
- Elbit Systems offered major concessions to compensate for the omitted features.
- Elbit agreed to bear fixed service contract costs for up to eight years.
- These arrangements will be formalised through an addendum to the main contract.
Switzerland’s Defence Director Reviews Progress of ADS 15 Project
The National Armaments Director of Switzerland, Urs Loher, recently held detailed discussions with Elbit Systems Ltd. representatives in Tel Aviv to review the ongoing Reconnaissance Drone System 15 (ADS 15) procurement project. The meeting took place on 5 November 2025 and focused on assessing progress and addressing recent project decisions.
Changes in Project Scope Confirmed by DDPS
Earlier on 4 September 2025, the Swiss Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) decided to continue the ADS 15 project without certain key systems. These excluded features include the automatic evasion system, the GPS-independent take-off and landing mechanism, and the deicing system.
The decision aimed to streamline the programme while maintaining the core surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities of the drone system. Despite the removal of these functionalities, Elbit Systems pledged to ensure operational performance remains strong through compensatory measures.
Elbit Offers Financial Concessions for Adjusted Contract
As part of its commitment, Elbit Systems agreed to significant financial concessions to balance the removal of the three functionalities. The company will cover the fixed costs of the service contract for up to eight years, helping to reduce the overall project burden on Swiss defence budgets.
Both parties also discussed the finer points of these concessions, which will be documented in a contract addendum. The additional agreement is expected to define the technical, financial, and operational aspects of the revised procurement plan.
Continuing Strategic Cooperation
The meeting underlined Switzerland’s ongoing collaboration with international defence suppliers like Elbit Systems. The discussions reflect a pragmatic approach to ensuring advanced drone technology acquisition while managing cost efficiency and long-term sustainability.
The ADS 15 project remains a vital part of Switzerland’s modern reconnaissance and surveillance strategy, designed to enhance operational readiness and intelligence-gathering capabilities of the Swiss Armed Forces.