Swiss Army Continues FPV Drone Trials in Elm With Support From Croatia’s ORQA

The Swiss Armed Forces have carried out a new series of first person view drone trials at the Wicheln training range in Elm, continuing efforts to evaluate the battlefield role of small unmanned aerial systems and loitering strike platforms.

The exercise included participation from Croatian drone technology company ORQA, which supplied FPV systems and supported operational testing activities during the trials. The company specializes in FPV technologies, video transmission systems, and drone operator equipment used for tactical military applications.

According to Swiss military officials, the trials focused on coordination between drone teams and ground combat units under operational conditions. The exercises examined how FPV drones can support reconnaissance, target acquisition, and precision strike missions in complex terrain.

The Swiss Army stated that lessons from the war in Ukraine continue to influence the development of tactical drone capabilities across Europe, particularly regarding the growing use of low cost FPV systems in frontline operations.

Swiss personnel involved in the program operate drones through real time video feeds transmitted to FPV goggles, allowing direct control during simulated combat scenarios. Initial operator training and evaluation activities began in 2025, when the army established dedicated FPV drone teams for testing purposes.

The ongoing program is managed by the Defense UAV and Robotics Competence Center, which is overseeing technical assessments, operational integration, and future capability requirements for small unmanned systems.

Additional drone evaluations were previously conducted at the Hinterrhein firing range, where Swiss specialists tested both offensive drone systems and counter drone technologies. The Swiss Armed Forces are using the trials to determine procurement priorities and identify technologies suitable for future domestic production or integration.

The FPV drone initiative forms part of a broader modernization effort launched by the Federal Department of Defense, Civil Protection and Sport following the creation of a dedicated drone task force in 2024. Swiss defense officials have increasingly emphasized the importance of tactical drone warfare and counter unmanned systems for future European military operations.

The participation of ORQA also highlights growing involvement of Central and South Eastern European defense technology firms in European drone modernization programs and military experimentation initiatives.