Media releases
NSB
In cooperation with SWISS ASD/Swissmem, armasuisse launches the first “Swiss Defence Industry Day” in Washington D.C.
In cooperation with the industry sector SWISS ASD (Aeronautics, Security and Defence), an amalgamation of internationally operating companies in security and defence technology as well as aviation, the Federal Office for Defence Procurement armasuisse is launching the “Swiss Defence Industry Day” for the first time on 28 August 2025. The industrial event will take place at the Swiss Embassy in Washington D.C. and on the periphery of the “Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference”. The goal of the “Swiss Defence Industry Day” is to establish international contacts as well as to promote Switzerland as an attractive location for the armament industry.
Deputy National Armaments Director receives foreign defence attachés
The Deputy National Armaments Director Thomas Rothacher will receive the defence attachés accredited in Switzerland from ten countries on 21 August 2025. The traditional professional exchange will take place in Bern and Spiez.
DDPS sets up advisory group for the strategic development of Beyond Gravity
Following Parliament's decision not to pursue the planned privatisation of Beyond Gravity, the DDPS intends to set out Beyond Gravity's new strategic direction in the near future. To this end, the DDPS has set up an advisory group comprising Prof. Thomas Zurbuchen from ETH Zurich, National Armaments Director Urs Loher, Jürg Rötheli, president of the Board of Directors of RUAG MRO, and representatives from the Federal Finance Administration (FFA) and the Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER). The advisory group will be chaired by Marc Siegenthaler, Deputy Secretary General of the DDPS. The Federal Council was informed of this at its meeting on 13 August.
Infantry Fighting Vehicle 2000: Federal Council approves agreement to expand operator group
Through its membership in the CV90 Club (Combat Vehicle 90 operator group), Switzerland benefits from efficient and cost-effective maintenance of its Infantry Fighting Vehicle 2000 while gaining valuable insights into ongoing developments. The Czech Republic and Slovakia are now set to join the group, which facilitates information exchange among user nations. The Federal Council approved the agreement to expand the operator group at its meeting on 13 August.
Working visit by the National Armaments Director to the USA
National Armaments Director Urs Loher travelled to the United States from 5 to 7 August for a working visit. Together with a delegation from the Federal Office for Defence Procurement armasuisse, he met with representatives from Lockheed Martin for technical discussions.
GBAD MR: Contract on cooperative procurement for medium-range ground-based air defence signed
Switzerland is procuring five IRIS-T SLM systems for ground-based air defence. These will protect the population from medium-range threats from the air. The procurement is part of the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI). The contract for Switzerland has now been signed between the Federal Office of Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support of the German Armed Forces and the manufacturer Diehl Defence GmbH & Co. KG, after the Federal Office for Defence Procurement armasuisse gave authorisation to do so.
Contact
Federal Office for Defence Procurement
Guisanplatz 1
CH - 3003 Bern