Israel’s Elbit Systems sold six of its Hermes 900 drones (pictured) to Switzerland. Photo: Mirgolth via Wikimedia Commons.

JNS.org – The Swiss Parliament on Monday approved the purchase of six Hermes 900 drones, at a cost of $250 million, from the Israeli manufacturer Elbit Systems.

While the parliamentary decision passed with a 30-12 majority, the minority argued against the drone because it was used by the IDF during Operation Protective Edge in Gaza last summer.

Swiss Defense Minister Ueli Maurer, however, said his country did not purchase the drone from Israel or the IDF, but from a private firm, and that the drones were to be used exclusively for intelligence-gathering purposes.

Meanwhile, Tuesday saw record numbers of people attend the international AUS&R (Autonomous Unmanned Systems & Robotics) drone expo in Rishon Lezion, Israel. Forty Israeli companies displayed their products to some 3,000 visitors from Israel and around the globe.

In addition to unmanned aerial vehicles, unmanned land and sea drones were on display, including a submarine and a patrol ship called the Katana, which was presented as a vessel that can provide security for offshore oil and gas rigs.