Rising drone activity tests Swiss airport defenses
Europe is seeing a troubling uptick in drone activity above critical infrastructure. Following disruptions at Danish airports, Switzerland now faces questions about the resilience of its aviation system against hybrid drone threats. The Swiss press reports a surge in incidents where drones and manned aircraft operate in close proximity, with the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (OFAC) recording 68 potentially dangerous events in 2024 and 50 already this year. Most of these drones are consumer-grade devices, posing outsized risks for busy circuits and passenger safety.
Uneven protection across the Swiss network
Protection levels vary widely among Swiss airports. Saint-Gall-Altenrhein is highlighted as a pioneer, becoming the first regional airport to deploy a drone-detection system. These passive sensors feed real-time drone location data to the control tower along with live imagery of the aircraft, according to Le Matin Dimanche. In contrast, Zurich Airport introduced an operational solution only at the start of 2025. Geneva and Basel-Mulhouse have kept a low profile on concrete protective measures, though airport authorities say they have action plans if a drone attack occurs. Bern-Belp, which handles state guests and foreign delegations, has reportedly not installed a similar system on the grounds of cost, a stance cited by local sources as a regional concern.
The technical threat and expert view
The threat is deceptively simple. Small, off-the-shelf drones can carry payloads that inflict meaningful damage, particularly near runways and control facilities. Roland Siegwart, a robotics expert from ETH Zurich, explains that typical consumer drones include geofencing intended to keep them away from critical infrastructure, but this protection can be bypassed by technically skilled operators. “A 1,000-franc quadcopter can carry 500 grams of explosive potential and cause substantial damage,” he notes to Tages-Anzeiger, underscoring how easy it is to underestimate the risk.
Defense is a multi-layer challenge
The Swiss military is actively experimenting with jammers to disrupt drone-control signals, yet no single solution guarantees complete protection. Jamming technologies can interfere with civilian communications and air traffic systems, complicating the logistics of aviation safety. A recent federal report paints a mixed picture of capabilities and funding, highlighting gaps and the need for coordinated action across civilian and defense spheres.
State of readiness and the price of protection
Despite efforts, gaps remain at many airports. The government plans to invest around 100 million Swiss francs by 2033 to bolster anti-drone capabilities, but observers say this may be insufficient for a robust, nationwide shield. The cost-to-benefit equation is pressing: more extensive detection networks, rapid interdiction tools, and defense-ready airspace management are expensive yet increasingly necessary as drone activity becomes a routine risk rather than an exception.
What it would take to fortify Swiss skies
Experts emphasize a layered approach: detect and locate drones early; implement controlled geofencing where possible; deploy non-kinetic and kinetic interception methods within safety and legal constraints; and ensure seamless coordination between air-traffic control, the military, and airport operators. The Swiss example reflects a broader European push for a robust “anti-drone” architecture to protect critical infrastructure from evolving aerial threats.
