By Robert Wall
Elbit Systems Ltd. (ESLT.TV) will supply the Swiss army with new
surveillance drones, beating rival Israel Aerospace Industries to
win the order.
Elbit will provide the Hermes 900HFE unmanned aircraft, the
Swiss Defense Ministry said Thursday in a statement. The Swiss
government estimates the purchase will cost 250 million Swiss
francs ($280 million).
Switzerland narrowed the field of competitors to Elbit and IAI,
which offered its Super Heron drone, in 2012. Elbit achieved the
highest score across the evaluation criteria, the Swiss government
said.
The Hermes 900, to be designated the ADS 15 when it enters
service in Switzerland, will replace the ADS 95 Ranger toward the
end of the decade. The Ranger has reached the end of its useful
life after entering service in 2001, the government said.
The new drone, which will be used only for surveillance purposes
and not be armed, will have greater endurance than the Ranger.
The government will probably submit the funding request to
parliament as part of its 2015 defense equipment plan, it said.
Write to Robert Wall at robert.wall@wsj.com
Subscribe to WSJ: http://online.wsj.com?mod=djnwires