armasuisse Science and Technology
armasuisse Science and Technology is the research and innovation arm of Switzerland's Federal Office for Defence Procurement, operating competence centres in cyber defence, AI, and robotics to deliver technology, testing, and procurement services for the Swiss Armed Forces and DDPS.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersThun, Switzerland
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What armasuisse Science and Technology does
armasuisse Science and Technology (S+T) is the technology competence center of the Swiss Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS), operating as the research and innovation arm of the Federal Office for Defence Procurement. Headquartered in Thun with facilities in Bern and a new site under development at Payerne, S+T runs a portfolio of specialized competence centres — the Cyber-Defence Campus (CYD Campus), the Swiss Drone and Robotics Center (SDRC), and the Competence Centre Artificial Intelligence and Simulation (AISI) — alongside research programmes in electronic warfare (INSIGNE), camouflage, communications, space, and technology foresight. Core technology outputs include the NJÖRD AI tool for the Swiss Armed Forces, the NEBULA federated learning platform, autonomous ground systems tested at ARCHE and ELROB trials, and the A-VIPER software vulnerability analysis pipeline developed with the US Air Force Research Laboratory.
S+T also hosts major testing events such as ELROB (European Land Robot Trial) and ARCHE (disaster-relief robotics), and participates in international interoperability exercises such as NATO's CWIX. The business model is government-funded rather than commercial: revenue derives from parliamentary budget appropriations via the DDPS, augmented by offset-driven procurement contracts with international primes including Lockheed Martin (F-35A), Diehl Defence (IRIS-T SLM), KNDS (artillery), Elbit Systems (ADS 15 drones), Leonardo (TMMR radar), and Saab (multispectral camouflage). S+T serves as the principal procurement intermediary and research provider for the Swiss Armed Forces, with primary end-users being the Swiss Army, Air Force, Land Forces and DDPS cyber organizations, while also engaging NATO, the European Defence Agency, and bilateral defence partners for joint capability development.
armasuisse Science and Technology firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- armasuisse Science and Technology
- Legal name
- armasuisse Federal Office for Defence Procurement
- Website
- https://ar.admin.ch
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- armasuisse Science and Technology is the research and innovation arm of Switzerland's Federal Office for Defence Procurement, operating competence centres in cyber defence, AI, and robotics to deliver technology, testing, and procurement services for the Swiss Armed Forces and DDPS.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
armasuisse Science and Technology industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Defense Research and Procurement Services
- NAICS
- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Space Research and Technology (92711)
- SIC
- Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Defense R&D, Test, Evaluation & Innovation (BPAIAHAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Precision Strike & Fire Control Systems (IMABAOAE), Fire Control Systems & Weapon Control Electronics (IMABAGAI), Air Defense Missiles & Interceptors (IMABAHAD), Military Aerospace Ground Support Equipment (GSE) & Test Systems (IMABAMAL)
Keywords
Where armasuisse Science and Technology is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Thun
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
armasuisse Science and Technology business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Government Funding and Defence Procurement: As a Swiss Federal Office, armasuisse operates under annual government budgets allocated by Swiss Parliament through the DDPS (Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport). Revenue comes from federal budget appropriations for defence procurement, armaments programmes, and research activities.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels8 records
armasuisse Science and Technology product offering
Product offeringCore offering
armasuisse Science and Technology is the technology competence centre of the Swiss Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS). It conducts applied research and development in cyber defence, robotics, artificial intelligence, electronic warfare, space technologies, camouflage systems, communications, and reconnaissance for the Swiss Armed Forces. It also hosts testing platforms (ELROB, ARCHE), runs innovation programmes such as the Cyber Startup Challenge and dual-use technology funding calls, and manages major procurement projects including F-35A, IRIS-T SLM, ADS 15 drones, and artillery systems alongside defence technology manufacturers.
Product overview
armasuisse Science and Technology (S+T) is a Swiss federal research organization within the Federal Office for Defence Procurement. It operates a portfolio of specialized research centres (Cyber-Defence Campus, Swiss Drone and Robotics Center, Competence Centre AI and Simulation), research programmes (Taskforce Drones, INSIGNE for electronic warfare), and testing platforms (ARCHE for disaster relief robotics, ELROB for unmanned ground systems). S+T also manages major procurement programmes including IRIS-T SLM air defence systems, ADS 15 reconnaissance drones, and F-35A fighter aircraft. Key technology products include the NEBULA federated learning platform and NJÖRD AI tool. The organization publishes the Inside S+T magazine and research brochures, and runs innovation initiatives like the Cyber Startup Challenge. S+T's research spans cyber defence, AI, robotics, space, electronic warfare, camouflage systems, and sustainable construction (RECOBI).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Cyber-Defence Campus (CYD Campus): Part of armasuisse Science and Technology focusing on cyber defence research and innovation
- Swiss Drone and Robotics Center (SDRC)
- Competence Centre Artificial Intelligence and Simulation (AISI)
- armasuisse Real Estate
- Centre Energy for Defence and Security (ZEvS)
- Taskforce Drones
Products and services
- Cyber-Defence Campus (CYD Campus) Research and Innovation Services Research and innovation hub providing cyber defence, data analytics, technology monitoring, and digital security services for Switzerland's national security organizations. Serves as the primary centre for cyber defence research at armasuisse S+T.
- Swiss Drone and Robotics Center (SDRC) Testing and Development Services Develops and tests drone and robotic systems for disaster relief, reconnaissance, and military security applications. Hosts the ARCHE disaster relief robotics trial and partners with ETH Zurich on robotics research.
- Competence Centre Artificial Intelligence and Simulation (AISI) Services Develops AI and simulation solutions for organizations of national security, including the NJÖRD AI tool delivered to the Swiss Armed Forces and the NEBULA federated learning platform.
- Taskforce Drones Military Drone Capability Development Accelerates capability development of military drone technologies, conducting tests of Swiss attack and defence drones and market surveys.
- INSIGNE Electronic Warfare Modernization Programme Modernization project for electronic warfare capabilities, ensuring state-of-the-art electronic reconnaissance, jamming, and deception systems with lightweight, modular, interoperable solutions.
- NEBULA Federated Learning Platform A platform for training federated models in centralized and decentralized architectures, rationalizing development, deployment, and management of federated applications for cyber defence and security use cases.
- NJÖRD AI Tool An AI tool developed together with the Cyber-Defence Campus for the Swiss Armed Forces to support operational decision-making.
- A-VIPER Software Vulnerability Research Project Automated identification, analysis, and prioritisation of software vulnerabilities in security-critical systems, conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory.
- RECOBI Sustainable Building Renovation Process Sustainable renovation process combining 3D digitalisation, parametric modelling, and additive manufacturing for buildings with complex geometries, with potential to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 50%.
- ARCHE Disaster Relief Robotics Testing Event Annual testing event for drone and robotics technologies in realistic disaster response scenarios, conducted at the Epeisses military training village with ETH Zurich collaboration.
- ELROB European Land Robot Trial Major European performance competition for mobile robot systems, testing unmanned ground vehicles in realistic military and civilian scenarios at the Thun military training area.
- Cyber Startup Challenge Annual competition by CYD Campus to identify innovative cyber technologies, awarding up to CHF 100,000 for proof-of-concept implementations.
- Dual-Use Technologies Joint Funding Call Joint funding call with Innosuisse for dual-use technology research projects, with a CHF 20 million shared budget to strengthen innovation in security and defence that also benefits the economy and civil society.
- Research Program Security (with ETH Domain) Strategic research cooperation between DDPS and the ETH domain, with eight projects launching from May 2026 supported by CHF 2 million in armasuisse funding.
- Swiss e-ID Quantum-Resilient Security Research Research cooperation between armasuisse and the Federal Office of Justice to advance security and data protection for the Swiss electronic identity, focusing on unlinkability, zero knowledge proofs, post-quantum cryptography, and quantum-resilient architecture.
Quantifiable outcome
- CO₂ emissions reduction of up to 50% for complex geometry buildings through RECOBI sustainable renovation process
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use armasuisse Science and Technology
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
armasuisse Science and Technology technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability10 records
Feature6 records
armasuisse Science and Technology partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA)coreSwitzerland participates in NATO's Ammunition Support Partnership (ASP) for joint ammunition procurement, monitoring, and environmentally sound disposal. Benefits include economies of scale, reduced procurement costs, and shortened delivery times.
- ETH ZurichcoreLong-standing collaboration through Swiss Drone and Robotics Center (SDRC), ARCHE event hosting, Robotics Summer School participation, and research projects including Magnecko climbing robot, ANYmal D, and PPS Search and Rescue Vehicle development.
- European Defence Agency (EDA)coreUpdated administrative arrangement between Switzerland and EDA, aligned strategically with Switzerland's defence capabilities. Enables participation in European defence research, innovation, and capability development including Hub for EU Defence Innovation (HEDI).
- Swiss Armed Forces (Engineer/Rescue/NBC Training Unit)coreContinuous collaboration on disaster relief robotics testing through ARCHE event, Taskforce Drones, and operational procedure development for attack drones and defence systems.
- Lockheed MartincoreF-35A procurement with substantial offset agreements. Additional addendum signed strengthening Swiss industry through security-relevant key technologies, targeting 73% offset value (vs required 60%).
- Diehl Defence GmbH & Co. KGcoreIRIS-T SLM medium-range ground-based air defence system procurement (5 fire units, plus 2 under 2026 Armaments Programme) as part of European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI).
- KNDS Deutschland GmbH & Co. KGcoreContract signed for new artillery system to replace M109 howitzers from 1960s.
- Elbit Systems LtdcoreReconnaissance drone system 15 (ADS 15) procurement. Addendum signed including services for three functionalities not to be implemented. Third of six systems delivered September 2025.
- Leonardo (Italy)coreTactical Multi Mission Radar (TMMR) system selected for partially mobile short-range radars for Swiss Air Force airspace surveillance.
- Fraunhofer FKIE (Germany)majorCo-organizer of ELROB 2026 at Thun military training area, bringing together 20+ international teams to test robotic systems under realistic conditions.
- RUAG AGmajorCo-organizer of ELROB 2026. Partner in ammunition disposal contract with US Army. Involvement in Taskforce Drones.
- InnosuissemajorJoint call for projects on dual-use technologies with CHF 20 million budget (shared between Innosuisse and armasuisse), launched 1 July 2026. RECOBI project initiated through NTN Innovation Booster Additive Manufacturing.
- US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)majorA-VIPER research project on automated identification, analysis and prioritisation of software vulnerabilities in security-critical systems, based on DDPS-DoD framework agreement.
- International Research Partners (CYD Campus)majorCYD Campus collaborates with international partners on cybersecurity research. TPMS study conducted with IMDEA Networks Institute and other institutions.
- Federal Office of Justice (FOJ)majorCombined expertise to advance security and data protection issues regarding Swiss electronic identity (e-ID). CYD Campus supports research cooperation with focus on unlinkability and post-quantum cryptography.
- Securiton (Switzerland)coreContract awarded for minidrone defence systems after field evaluation at Meiringen aerodrome. Systems designed as partially mobile for military and civil authority use.
- SSZ Camouflage AG (Switzerland)coreMultispectral camouflage systems (MSTS) procurement alongside European suppliers.
- Saab Barracuda AB (Sweden)coreMultispectral camouflage systems (MSTS) procurement alongside Swiss and German suppliers.
- SIG Sauer (with Swiss production)coreSIG Sauer P320 selected as new service pistol for Swiss Armed Forces with assured domestic Swiss production to retain security-relevant industrial capabilities.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
armasuisse Science and Technology competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- TNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research): Dutch applied research organization conducting defense and security R&D across cyber, autonomous systems, sensors, and human factors. Comparable in size (~3,500 staff) and applied-research positioning to armasuisse S+T, with broader civilian portfolio.
- Fraunhofer Society: Germany's largest applied research organization operates 76 institutes covering defense-relevant technologies (FKIE for command/control, IOSB for sensor systems, IAIS for AI). Co-organizer of ELROB 2026 with armasuisse S+T and a recurring research partner, addressing overlapping research domains across a broader commercial+civilian portfolio.
- Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA): US Department of Defense R&D agency funding high-risk, high-reward defense research. While orders of magnitude larger, DARPA's mission in cyber, AI, autonomous systems, and electronic warfare directly parallels CYD Campus, AISI, and INSIGNE programs at armasuisse S+T.
Direct peers
- Direction générale de l'armement (DGA): France's defense procurement and R&D agency operates with a near-identical mandate to armasuisse: procurement of major military systems, management of offset obligations, and oversight of defense-related research. DGA's dual structure of procurement + DGA Techniques Numériques makes it the closest European peer.
- ONERA: French national aerospace research lab conducts fundamental and applied research in aerodynamics, propulsion, radar/EM, and space systems. Closest peer to armasuisse S+T in terms of national-aerospace research scope, though ONERA's portfolio is more aerospace-platform-focused while armasuisse S+T spans cyber and AI more heavily.
- European Defence Agency (EDA): EU agency coordinating defense capability development, R&T, and procurement cooperation among member states including Switzerland. armasuisse has an updated administrative arrangement (Oct 2025) covering participation in capability development, R&T, and Hub for EU Defence Innovation (HEDI).
- BAAINBw (Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support): Germany's federal defense procurement and equipment agency performs the same statutory role as armasuisse for the Bundeswehr, executing major procurement contracts (aircraft, ground systems, naval) and managing industrial cooperation. Direct functional counterpart within the DACH defense procurement cooperation framework in which armasuisse participates.
- NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA): NSPA executes multinational defense procurement and life-cycle support for NATO nations. armasuisse recently joined NSPA's Ammunition Support Partnership, establishing it as a procurement counterpart with overlapping mission and customer base across NATO-aligned countries.
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl): UK's national defense science and technology organization, an executive agency of the Ministry of Defence, conducts applied research and provides S&T advice across cyber, AI, sensors, and autonomy - directly comparable to armasuisse S+T's CYD Campus, SDRC, and AISI portfolios.
- Royal Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI): Norway's national defense research establishment conducts applied research across defense systems, sensors, cyber, and space. Closest Nordic peer to armasuisse S+T in terms of small-state defense research mandate and applied-research positioning, with similar international cooperation patterns.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
armasuisse Science and Technology social profiles
Digital presencearmasuisse Science and Technology financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
armasuisse Science and Technology leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles20 records
armasuisse Science and Technology funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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armasuisse Science and Technology M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about armasuisse Science and Technology
What does armasuisse Science and Technology do?
armasuisse Science and Technology is the technology competence centre of the Swiss Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS). It conducts applied research and development in cyber defence, robotics, artificial intelligence, electronic warfare, space technologies, camouflage systems, communications, and reconnaissance for the Swiss Armed Forces. It also hosts testing platforms (ELROB, ARCHE), runs innovation programmes such as the Cyber Startup Challenge and dual-use technology funding calls, and manages major procurement projects including F-35A, IRIS-T SLM, ADS 15 drones, and artillery systems alongside defence technology manufacturers.
Is armasuisse Science and Technology a public or private company?
armasuisse Science and Technology is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was armasuisse Science and Technology founded?
armasuisse Science and Technology was founded in -1. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is armasuisse Science and Technology based?
armasuisse Science and Technology is headquartered in Thun, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does armasuisse Science and Technology make money?
One revenue line is on record: government Funding and Defence Procurement.
Who are armasuisse Science and Technology's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are TNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research), Fraunhofer Society and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Direct peers are Direction générale de l'armement (DGA), ONERA, European Defence Agency (EDA), BAAINBw (Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support), NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) and Royal Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI).
Does armasuisse Science and Technology have an API?
No public API is recorded for armasuisse Science and Technology.
What industry is armasuisse Science and Technology in?
armasuisse Science and Technology's product category is Defense Research and Procurement Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIAHAC, Defense R&D, Test, Evaluation & Innovation, with a secondary code of IMABAOAE, Precision Strike & Fire Control Systems. Its NAICS code is 334511 and its SIC code is 3812.