Federal Council sets parameters for the further development of Beyond Gravity
Bern, 20.06.2025 — Parliament has decided not to pursue the originally planned privatisation of the space company Beyond Gravity. At its meeting on 20 June 2025, the Federal Council drew up an action plan to enable the company to develop further under these new conditions. The Federal Council will now review the strategic objectives without delay, and create a statutory basis for holding a financial interest in the company accordingly. Ownership control will pass from the Federal Department of Finance (FDF) to the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS).
After the National Council voted to adopt motion 24.3477 ("Maintaining control of Beyond Gravity is of strategic interest"), the Council of States also passed the motion on 10 March 2025. The planned privatisation of Beyond Gravity – the space division of RUAG International – will therefore not be pursued. The motion calls on the Federal Council to create the statutory basis and introduce measures to retain control or full ownership of Beyond Gravity. The Federal Council is now undertaking this work.
Continuity in the strategic objectives
The Confederation is the sole shareholder in RUAG International. The Federal Council manages the company according to strategic four-year objectives, in particular. The strategic objectives set in 2023 for the 2024-2027 period focused on completing the sale of Beyond Gravity as the final stage in the process of divesting from RUAG International. The Federal Council will now adapt the strategic objectives to the new situation without delay. This will give the company the guidelines it needs to develop further in the dynamic space market. In principle, Beyond Gravity should be able to continue pursuing its existing business activities.
Creation of a statutory basis
In order to retain ownership of Beyond Gravity, the Confederation – like all federal enterprises – requires a statutory basis. This does not currently exist. In particular, the law must define the purpose of the federal stake and the public interest in the company. The Federal Council views the financial interest in Beyond Gravity as a way to meet broad security interests. In addition to the provision of space technology products and services to the Armed Forces, these involve securing access to space-based infrastructures and technologies. The Federal Council has instructed the DDPS to prepare a consultation draft in this regard. The FDF will continue to have input to ownership policy but the main ownership role will pass to the DDPS, which is responsible for security policy, at the beginning of July 2025. At the same time, the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research, which is the competent department in space matters, will be involved.
Federal Council expresses confidence in Beyond Gravity
The Federal Council is aware of the challenge facing the company and its Board of Directors following Parliament's decision. It has expressed its full confidence in Beyond Gravity's board and the company as a whole. The Federal Council considers continuity to be crucial in the current transition phase and will endeavour to quickly establish the new framework conditions necessary for Beyond Gravity to steer a successful course in the future.