Media releases
NSB
Chief of Armament Urs Loher on a working visit to Norway
Chief of Armament Urs Loher will travel to Norway for a bilateral meeting with his Norwegian counterpart Rolf Kjos. Within this meeting, the discussions will focus on current issues and procurement projects such as the medium-range ground-based air defence programme.
Standardisation of small calibre ammunition: armasuisse takes part in European Defence Agency project
Switzerland is further expanding its international cooperation with the European Defence Agency (EDA). The Federal Office for Defence Procurement armasuisse is taking part in a project in which the requirements for the effectiveness of small calibre ammunition are to be standardised and the technologies for these bullets thus optimised. The Head of the DDPS, Federal President Viola Amherd, has authorised the corresponding agreement on participation in the project “Small Arms Ammunition Technologies”.
Cyber Defence Campus launches Cyber Startup Challenge 2024
The DDPS Cyber Defence Campus is once again organising a Cyber Startup Challenge this year. Under the motto «Security of Artificial Intelligence», innovative solutions in the field of security of machine learning models (ML) and security checks in the field of artificial intelligence are being sought. The winner will receive a contract for a proof of concept and will be able to demonstrate their solution in a real DDPS environment. The closing date for applications is 31 August 2024.
Trial and error approach of the «SMASH» system for ground and air targets
A technology demonstration of fire-control systems for hand-held weapons took place in Walenstadt (SG) from 15 to 17 May 2024. The trial and error approach was carried out by the Federal Office for Defence Procurement armasuisse together with the Swiss Armed Forces. The aim was to demonstrate the capability of the «SMASH» system to effectively combat ground targets and minidrones.
Federal Council decides to join the European Sky Shield Initiative
By participating in the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI), Switzerland is increasing its international cooperation opportunities. At its meeting on 10 April, the Federal Council approved the declaration of accession to the ESSI Cooperative Procurement Framework Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The focus of the cooperation is on better coordination of procurement projects, training and logistical aspects in the area of ground-based air defence.
Current figures on offset transactions as of end of March 2024
The Offset Register currently comprises seventeen offset obligations in the amount of CHF 5.34 billion, which must be awarded by foreign suppliers to Swiss companies. Of this, offset transactions in the amount of around CHF 1.97 billion have been carried out as at the end of March 2024.
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