In cooperation with SWISS ASD/Swissmem, armasuisse launches the first “Swiss Defence Industry Day” in Washington D.C.
Bern, 28.08.2025 — 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.
The “Swiss Defence Industry Day” offers Swiss armament companies a platform for building up new networks and presenting Swiss quality. The focus is on establishing international contacts as well as promoting Switzerland as an attractive location for the armament industry. Exchange on innovative technologies and approaches as well as knowledge transfer are also to be enabled. In addition, information will be provided on the Federal Council’s armament policy strategy.
Exhibitors and guests
Renowned Swiss armament companies will present themselves in a showroom at custom-designed booths. The guests invited include representatives from the U.S. Department of Defense, from U.S. armament companies, participants of the “Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference”, the trade association National Defense Industrial Association as well as defence and military attachés from various countries.
Strengthening the security-relevant Technology and Industry Base
Research institutions and companies that have competencies, capabilities and capacities in the security and armaments industry in Switzerland form the STIB.
The STIB aims to contribute to reducing Switzerland’s dependencies on foreign countries in terms of armaments policy in defined areas. It should be capable of ensuring these key technological competencies and industrial capabilities with the required capacities in Switzerland.
The “Swiss Defence Industry Day” offers the STIB a platform for enabling Swiss companies to participate in international research projects and procurements as well as access to technologies and markets abroad, through cooperation contracts.
Armament policy strategy
One focal point of the Federal Council’s armament policy strategy is on maintaining the defence-critical industry basis (VIB) and strengthening the entire security-relevant Technology and Industry Base (STIB).
In particular, security-relevant key technologies as well as industrial core capabilities and capacities in Switzerland should be maintained and further strengthened. The goal is to strengthen Switzerland’s technological autonomy in certain areas and to increase Switzerland’s competitiveness and international cooperation capability in the area of technological armament.
The next “Swiss Defence Industry Day” is expected to take place in the 4th quarter of 2025 in Brussels.