Swiss army plans major research push with universities to modernize forces

The Swiss army is preparing a significant expansion of its research activities and university partnerships as part of a broader modernization effort by 2030, public broadcaster SWI reported Tuesday. The Federal Office for Defense Procurement (Armasuisse) intends to increase its research budget to 2% of the army’s total expenditure, with a focus on advancing drone technology, cybersecurity, and surveillance systems.

University Collaboration and Funding Increase

Under the new strategy outlined in the government’s armament plan, Armasuisse plans to invest about ten times more in university research projects than it currently does. The primary partners will be Switzerland’s two federal institutes of technology—ETH Zurich and EPFL Lausanne—which are expected to move beyond their current role as technology observers to become active co‑developers of defense innovations.

Strategic Shift in Academic Partnership

Thomas Rothacher, deputy head of Armasuisse, stated that ETH should help identify technological gaps within the army and collaborate on developing “innovative solutions.” He noted that since the start of the war in Ukraine, reluctance to engage in defense‑related research has diminished and interest from universities has “increased noticeably.”

Broader Context of Swiss Defense Modernization

The push reflects a wider European trend of strengthening military research and industrial capacity in response to geopolitical shifts. By deepening ties with leading academic institutions, Switzerland aims to ensure its armed forces remain technologically advanced and adaptable to emerging security challenges.