Executive Summary
Innosuisse and the Federal Office of Armaments armasuisse are launching a joint research initiative on July 1, 2026, with a budget of 20 million Swiss francs. The initiative promotes so-called dual-use technologies – technologies with applications in both civilian and security sectors. Three technological priorities are defined: resilient navigation and time synchronization systems, photonics for security and communication, and counter-drone technologies. The project call contributes to the Federal Council's armaments policy strategy and aims to promote systemic, interdisciplinary innovations.
People
- André Kudelski (President of the Board of Innosuisse)
- Dominique Gruhl-Bégin (Director of Innosuisse)
- Thomas Rothacher (Deputy Head of Armaments armasuisse)
Topics
- Dual-use technologies
- Research and innovation promotion
- National security and sovereignty
- Technology transfer
Clarus Lead
The initiative responds to a strategic priority of the Federal Council: strengthening research and innovation in the security sector in light of growing geopolitical uncertainties. By focusing on dual-use technologies, Swiss companies and research institutions are to maintain their technological sovereignty while simultaneously generating civilian spillover effects – a model that has historically been successful with GPS and WLAN. The broad call with open thematic priorities signals that the federal government does not dictate innovations top-down, but rather gives market actors room for maneuver.
Detailed Summary
The initiative is implemented through Innosuisse's "Flagship" funding instrument, which prioritizes systemic and interdisciplinary solutions with dual-use potential. Submitted projects must involve multiple Swiss research institutions and industrial partners – a requirement intended to strengthen network effects and technology transfer within the Swiss innovation landscape.
The three priorities address specific security deficits: First, positioning and time synchronization systems that function even during disruptions or system failures – relevant for critical infrastructure, aviation, and autonomous systems. Second, light-based technologies (photonics) for secure information transmission, high-precision data acquisition, and imaging with applications in medicine, precision industry, and environmental monitoring. Third, counter-drone technologies, including sensors, control and neutralization systems to protect critical infrastructure and public spaces.
The selection of funded projects is planned for summer 2027. The initiative is jointly managed by armasuisse Science and Technology and Innosuisse and contributes to strategic and sustainable development in the defense and security sector.
Key Statements
- Switzerland is investing 20 million Swiss francs in dual-use research in the security sector
- Initiative combines defense interests with civilian spillover effects
- Three technological priorities: navigation/time synchronization, photonics, counter-drone technologies
- Call for proposals launches July 1, 2026; project selection summer 2027
- Focus on Swiss technological sovereignty and competitiveness
Critical Questions
Evidence: What historical data demonstrates that dual-use technologies from defense research actually lead to civilian innovations – and in what timeframe do these spillover effects occur?
Conflicts of Interest: To what extent could co-financing by armasuisse lead research projects to prioritize military applicability with civilian benefits becoming secondary?
Causality: It is unclear whether the 20 million Swiss francs generate additional research or redirect existing projects – how is additionality measured?
Feasibility: What obstacles could Swiss SMEs face when collaborating with research institutions in a security-sensitive environment, and how are export controls and dual-use regulations taken into account?
Transparency: Will the funded projects and their results be publicly documented, or are they subject to confidentiality obligations that impede technology transfer to civil society?
Governance: How is the balance between open project calls and the Federal Council's strategic priorities concretely ensured in the evaluation process?
Source Directory
Primary Source: Innosuisse and Federal Office of Armaments armasuisse – Joint Initiative for Research and Innovation in the Security and Defense Sector – https://www.news.admin.ch/de/newnsb/xMNk0LL66iDuYIrinwy7m
Verification Status: ✓ 30.04.2026
This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial Responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-checking: 30.04.2026