Swiss Armed Forces

The new state aircraft type Bombardier Global 7500 landed on 19th of December 2024 in Switzerland. In future, the Swiss Confederation will thus have a state aircraft with state of the art technology in terms of security, efficiency and performance. The first deployment of the Bombardier Global 7500 aircraft by the Federal Air Transport Service is planned early in 2025.

At its meeting on 27 November, the Federal Council decided to evaluate the possibility of converting RUAG MRO Holding AG (RUAG MRO) into a public-law entity. The DDPS will now examine various options and prepare a bill for consultation on the revision of the Federal Act on Federal Armaments Companies by end of May 2025.

At its meeting on 27 November, the Federal Council appointed Jürg Rötheli as Chairman of the Board of Directors of RUAG MRO Holding AG (RUAG MRO). Mr Rötheli will take up his position on 1 January 2025.

The continuing deterioration in the security situation calls for a revision of the existing armaments policy and for the Federal Council to exercise greater strategic control. At its meeting on 27 November, the Federal Council therefore instructed the DDPS to develop an Armaments Policy Strategy to be adopted by mid-2025.

Markus Mäder, State Secretary for Security Policy, will represent Switzerland at the Halifax International Security Forum in Canada from 22 to 24 November. He will be discussing current security policy developments and challenges with experts in the field and hold a number of bilateral talks.