Switzerland joins European electronic warfare procurement programme

Switzerland will join a European programme to procure electronic attack systems for its armed forces, SRF reports. The systems are intended to detect, influence or disrupt adversaries’ electromagnetic signals, including radio and communications links.

The Federal Council has approved Switzerland’s participation in the Knifefish memorandum of understanding, a Dutch-led programme. Germany and Denmark are already involved, and Sweden plans to join. The Swiss Army says the move will modernise its electronic warfare capabilities.

The agreement does not commit Switzerland to buying equipment. The Federal Office for Defence Procurement, Armasuisse, said Switzerland can decide independently, on a case-by-case basis, which procurement projects to join. The cooperation is also expected to provide economies of scale and make technical exchanges with European partner armed forces easier.

The agreement includes a provision allowing Switzerland to withdraw at any time, without notice, if a participating country becomes involved in an armed conflict, the Federal Council said.

Knifefish builds on the Sawfish programme, which the Federal Council approved Switzerland joining in November 2025. Sawfish covers tactical electronic reconnaissance systems, while Knifefish focuses on active jamming and defence. Both agreements are part of the government’s plan to deepen international cooperation in defence.