The first two Hermes 900 HFE reconnaissance drones have arrived in Switzerland and are expected to be operational by mid-2022.

The Federal Office of Armaments (armasuisse) announced on Friday 29 April 2022 that the first two Elbit Hermes 900 Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) together with two ground control stations, arrived in Switzerland.

The first UAV has already been assembled and they will undergo a functional check before the first flight tests in mid-May. They will then be handed over to the air force in the second half of the year. Four more UAVs will be delivered by the end of 2023.

The new aircraft will be operated by the Drohnenstaffel 7 (UAS Squadron) at Emmen air base.

Photo Jeroen Vogelaar