Procurement of electronic attack systems: Federal Council approves participation in the Knifefish Memorandum of Understanding

Bern, 14.10.2026 — Switzerland wants to modernise its electronic warfare capabilities and so is taking part in a European programme to procure electronic attack systems. At its meeting on 14 October, the Federal Council approved Switzerland’s participation in the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of electromagnetic combat capabilities for electronic attack (MoU Knifefish).

The Swiss Armed Forces are modernising their electronic warfare (EW) capabilities. This involves procuring systems that can detect, influence and jam electromagnetic signals.

The Netherlands is running a programme to procure electronic attack systems, called Knifefish. Switzerland intends to support the procurement of such systems and to boost cooperation with European partner countries. Germany and Denmark are already participating in the programme, and Sweden intends to join it by means of an amendment agreement. The Federal Council has now approved Switzerland’s participation in the Knifefish MoU. This builds on Sawfish, the tactical electronic warfare systems programme which Switzerland joined in November 2025.

Joint procurement improves interoperability

Switzerland’s participation in the MoU strengthens defence cooperation with European countries and is in line with the Federal Council’s Defence Policy Strategy of 20 June 2025, one aspect of which is the targeted expansion of cooperation with neighbouring countries and other European partners. Joint procurement brings operational and logistical advantages. Material and data can be better coordinated, and there can be shared use of test equipment and spare parts. Switzerland can benefit from economies of scale and lower purchase prices in particular.