Swiss Universities Launch Drone Defense Research Programs

The Swiss army is grappling with an increasing threat from unidentified drones operating over critical infrastructure, prompting a new focus on advanced defense technologies. Army chief Benedikt Roos expressed concern over the sophisticated deployment of these drones, noting the military's current inability to identify their origin or operators.

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It's no longer a prank. It takes some know-how to send formations of drones from who knows where over critical infrastructure. And then they disappear again, and we have no idea who it is.

In response, Swiss universities, particularly those within the ETH domain, are initiating research programs to enhance drone detection capabilities. The Federal Office for Armaments, Armasuisse, confirmed that four projects, focusing primarily on drone detection, have commenced. These short-term projects, with durations of 12 to 18 months, each have a budget of up to a quarter-million Swiss francs, with further research expected.

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Four projects from the ETH domain were selected on the topic of drone defense, which started between May 1 and July 1.

Roland Siegwart, a robotics professor at ETH and a leading drone expert, is involved in this research. The urgency is underscored by recent incidents where drones have been observed near military installations, highlighting a significant security gap. The development aims to prepare the Swiss military for future warfare scenarios where drone technology will play a crucial role.

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These efforts focused mainly on the aspect of drone detection.