RUAG Defence

What RUAG Defence does

RUAG Defence was historically a division of the Swiss federal technology group RUAG, focused on defense products and services including cyber-security, simulation and training, and combat training systems. Following a Federal Council-mandated unbundling in 2018-2020, the defense-related activities were integrated into MRO Switzerland, while the remaining operations were preserved under RUAG International. Between 2022 and 2025, RUAG International divested its non-space businesses (Ammotec, Simulation & Training, Australia operations, Business Aviation, and the aerostructures unit transferred to Pilatus in 2025) and now operates exclusively through its Beyond Gravity brand as a Tier 1 supplier to the global space industry.

Beyond Gravity manufactures critical space hardware sold to government space agencies (ESA, NASA, JAXA, EUMETSAT) and commercial space operators (Amazon's Kuiper program, Blue Origin, Relativity Space, ULA, ArianeGroup, SWISSto12). Core product lines include payload fairings (>60% market share in launch vehicle fairings), payload adapter systems, APPMAX alignment and propulsion-pointing mechanisms, satellite primary structures, navigation receivers, on-board computers, dispenser systems for satellite constellations, and radio occultation instruments. Production facilities span Emmen (Switzerland, primary launcher manufacturing), Linköping (Sweden, dispenser series production), Decatur (US), Zürich (engineering), and Oberpfaffenhofen (Germany). More than 800 satellites in orbit use Beyond Gravity technologies.

The business model is project-based, quote-driven industrial hardware supply with multi-year production cycles tied to launch and satellite deployment schedules. Revenue is recognized on long-cycle aerospace contracts priced through direct negotiation with institutional and prime-contractor customers. The company is consciously transitioning from specialized supplier to integrated system provider, evidenced by emerging Space Data Services and proprietary satellite platform development, while the EZYone program drives internal digital transformation. RUAG International is wholly owned by the Swiss Confederation, with Beyond Gravity placed under the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) ownership in July 2025.

Name

RUAG Defence

Legal name

RUAG International Holding AG

Website

https://ruag.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

RUAG Defence no longer operates as a standalone entity; its successor business, Beyond Gravity under RUAG International, manufactures space hardware — payload fairings, satellite structures, dispensers, navigation receivers, and alignment mechanisms — for government space agencies (ESA, NASA, JAXA) and commercial operators (Amazon, Blue Origin, Relativity Space), and is wholly owned by the Swiss Confederation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Space Hardware Manufacturing

NAICS

Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419)

SIC

Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760)

akta.pro primary industry

Military Space Systems (Defense Spacecraft) (IMABACAC)

Keywords

• Payload fairings
• Satellite structures
• Space hardware manufacturing
• Launch vehicle components
• Aerospace manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Bern

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Space Hardware Products: Design, development, and manufacturing of space hardware including payload fairings for launch vehicles, satellite structures, components, and dispenser systems. Revenue is project-based with long production cycles tied to launch schedules and satellite deployment programs.
2. Satellite Components and Systems: Supply of key satellite components including on-board computers, navigation receivers, thermal insulation, and structural components for missions by ESA, NASA, and commercial clients.
3. Services and Support: Engineering services, technical support, and maintenance related to space systems, contributing to the overall revenue mix.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

RUAG Defence was a division of the Swiss state-owned RUAG Group providing defence products including cyber-security, simulation and training, and combat training systems. Following the 2018-2020 strategic unbundling, the defence activities were transferred to MRO Switzerland. The remaining parent entity RUAG International now operates under the "Beyond Gravity" brand, manufacturing space hardware: payload fairings, satellite structures, dispenser systems, payload adapter systems, navigation receivers, on-board computers, and radio occultation instruments for the global space industry.

Product overview

RUAG International operates through its Beyond Gravity brand as a Tier 1 space industry supplier, having completed divestment of all non-space businesses. The product portfolio centers on launch vehicle components (payload fairings with over 60% market share, payload adapters, alignment mechanisms) and satellite products (structures, navigation receivers, on-board computers, dispenser systems, radio occultation instruments). Over 800 satellites use Beyond Gravity technologies, supporting customers including ESA, NASA, JAXA, Amazon, and commercial clients. The company is transitioning from specialized supplier to integrated system provider, expanding into space data services and proprietary satellite platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Payload Fairings

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 60% market share in payload fairings for launch vehicles
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, key and supporting.

• ESA (European Space Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing institutional partnership for space missions including satellite components for ESA programs, Ariane launch vehicle fairings, and scientific missions such as the LISA mission for gravitational wave research.
• NASAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for various NASA-related space missions and programs involving Beyond Gravity's space hardware components.
• JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for H3 launch vehicle payload fairings. Beyond Gravity appointed as exclusive supplier for five planned HTV-X missions to the ISS.
• Blue OriginkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupply of core components for New Glenn launch vehicle including APPMAX2 alignment mechanism and Payload Adapter System. Components successfully deployed on maiden flight in January 2025.
• AmazonkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor partnership for dispenser systems deploying satellites in Amazon's LEO (Kuiper) constellation. Delivered 15 dispensers with 180 satellites deployed across seven flights by end of 2025.
• Relativity SpacekeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Terran R rocket payload fairings. Beyond Gravity transitioned from development to series production of the 5.4m diameter, 20m length fairing for first flight in 2026.
• ULA (United Launch Alliance)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupply of payload fairings for Atlas and Vulcan launch vehicles, and expanded role as supplier of payload fairings for Atlas V.
• ArianeGroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Ariane launch vehicle payload fairings, including development of fairing for Ariane 6.
• ETH ZurichsupportingTechnology or IntegrationResearch collaboration with ETH Zurich strengthening knowledge transfer between research and industry for development of space technologies.
• DLR (German Aerospace Center)supportingTechnology or IntegrationResearch collaboration with DLR strengthening development of groundbreaking space technologies.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Lockheed Martin Space: Major US space prime manufacturing satellites, space structures, and launch vehicle hardware. Broad incumbent competitor in space hardware for institutional customers.
• Northrop Grumman (Space Systems): Large US defense prime with extensive space hardware portfolio (structures, payloads, launch vehicles). Broad incumbent in the same category though focused on defense and government customers.

Direct peers

• Airbus Defence and Space: Manufactures payload fairings for Ariane and other launchers, plus complete satellite platforms. Direct competitor in launcher structures and space systems, and a key customer/partner relationship for Beyond Gravity on Ariane.
• OHB SE: European satellite and space systems prime contractor serving ESA, institutional, and commercial customers. Direct peer in satellite manufacturing and space infrastructure with overlapping customer base.
• Thales Alenia Space: Major European space manufacturer of satellite structures, payloads, and space systems. Directly comparable to Beyond Gravity's satellite structures, navigation receivers, and dispenser/integration capabilities.
• Ball Aerospace (BAE Systems): US manufacturer of satellite structures, instruments, and space components. Directly comparable in space hardware components and instruments with strong government/institutional customer base.
• MDA Space: Canadian space hardware specialist in satellite subsystems, antennas, and space robotics. Comparable product portfolio in satellite components and dispenser-class hardware with institutional and commercial customers.
• Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (Space): Norwegian space hardware manufacturer of satellite structures and payload components. Comparable Tier 1 European space supplier with similar institutional and commercial customer profile.

Emerging players

• Redwire Space: US-based space hardware specialist in deployable structures, satellite components, and in-space manufacturing. Emerging competitor in dispenser-class and structural components for the commercial space market.

Regional players

• Mitsubishi Electric (Space Systems): Manufactures satellite components and serves as Beyond Gravity's customer (H3 launcher) and competitor in satellite structures in the Japanese/Asian market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about RUAG Defence