Swiss Armed Forces

At its meeting on 12 September, the Federal Council approved Ukraine’s admission as a full member of the CV90 Club, the operator group for the Combat Vehicle 90. Ukrainian membership is compatible with Swiss neutrality, as it entails a purely technical data exchange, with Switzerland retaining full discretion over what information it chooses to share.

At its meeting on 12 September, the Federal Council approved a memorandum of understanding that launches a partnership between the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport and the Colorado National Guard under the State Partnership Program. The purpose of this partnership is to facilitate training cooperation, allowing the Swiss Armed Forces to expand their capabilities through international collaboration and strengthen their defence readiness. It also fosters closer cooperation with the US in areas beyond the military, thereby deepening bilateral relations in general.

National Armaments Director Urs Loher took part in the armaments trade fair “Defence & Security Equipment International” (DSEI) in London from 9 to 10 September 2025. In addition to meetings with representatives from industry, bilateral talks with the participating armaments directors from Norway, Italy, Denmark and the Netherlands also took place.

As part of the agreement concluded between the DDPS and the Broye region in September 2024, the Federal Office for Defence Procurement armasuisse is investing in the development of a future-oriented research location in Payerne. The new site will drive research and development projects in the area of dual technologies (for civilian and military use) and create new jobs in the coming years. Work is scheduled to commence on this development over the course of this year, to begin with in the co-working spaces on the swiss aeropole premises in the municipality of Payerne. The occupancy of our own premises is planned to take place in summer 2026.

Talks held over the summer have made it clear that the USA is not prepared to deviate from its position. Consequently, Switzerland is unable to assert a fixed price for the F-35A fighter aircraft. At its meeting on 13 August, the Federal Council determined the next steps and instructed the DDPS to examine various options in depth by the end of November.