Media releases
NSB
GBAD MR: National Armaments Director signs programme agreement as part of European Sky Shield Initiative with the German Federal Ministry of Defence
The National Armaments Director, Urs Loher, and the German National Armaments Director, Vice Admiral Carsten Stawitzki, have signed the programme agreement as part of the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI) for the cooperative procurement of IRIS-T SLM systems of medium-range ground-based air defence (GBAD MR) from the German manufacturer Diehl Defence GmbH & Co. KG. The programme agreement which the Federal Council approved on 20 June 2025 is a requirement for a procurement contract on the GBAD MR systems. Switzerland can benefit from economies of scale and an improved interoperability of the systems through this joint procurement.
Air2030: Current challenges and future steps
Over recent months, a number of challenges have arisen in the Air2030 programme to renew funding for air space protection. The Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) today updated the Federal Council on the current status of the procurement process for the new fighter aircraft F-35A. The Federal Council is supporting the DDPS in the next stages of the procurement procedure and in the diplomatic talks on the fixed price. It still considers this price to be valid. The Federal Council remains committed to procuring the F-35A.
Idea competition for recovering ammunition from Swiss lakes: Evaluation is ongoing
In August 2024, the Federal Office for Defence Procurement armasuisse launched an idea competition for the environmentally-friendly and safe recovery of ammunition from Swiss lakes. The announcement of the results, scheduled for the end of May 2025, has been postponed. Due to the complexity of the ideas, the evaluation is taking more time than planned.
National Armaments Director in talks with Elbit about ongoing procurement projects
National Armaments Director Urs Loher met representatives from Elbit Systems Ltd for working discussions on the reconnaissance drone system 15 (ADS 15) and the Armed Forces Telecommunication (TK A) in Cyprus.
Federal Council approves armaments policy strategy
The deteriorating security situation calls for a rethink of Switzerland's armaments policy. At its meeting on 20 June 2025, the Federal Council therefore approved its first armaments policy strategy, which aims to maintain the remaining defence-critical industrial base in Switzerland and strengthen the broader technology and industrial base relevant to national security. In addition, research, development and innovation for the further development of the Swiss Armed Forces are to be expanded and Switzerland's international armaments cooperation intensified.
armasuisse presents modern technologies for battlefield reconnaissance and countermeasures in Thun
The “Scout 25” technical symposium was held at the Military Training Area in Thun on 18 June 2025. Here, the Federal Office for Defence Procurement armasuisse came together with the Swiss Armed Forces to present modern technologies for battlefield reconnaissance and countermeasures. The event also gave those in attendance the chance to experience the technological possibilities being developed by industry and academia within the framework of the Vision 2030+ programme of the Swiss Armed Forces in a wide range of presentations.
Contact
Federal Office for Defence Procurement
Guisanplatz 1
CH - 3003 Bern