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armasuisse supports the development of Payerne as a location for research and innovation

Swiss Government

Press release
Published on 8 September 2025

Bern, 08.09.2025 -- As part of the agreement concluded between the DDPS and the Broye region in September 2024, the Federal Office for Defence Procurement armasuisse is investing in the development of a future-oriented research location in Payerne. The new site will drive research and development projects in the area of dual technologies (for civilian and military use) and create new jobs in the coming years. Work is scheduled to commence on this development over the course of this year, to begin with in the co-working spaces on the swiss aeropole premises in the municipality of Payerne. The occupancy of our own premises is planned to take place in summer 2026.

The targeted strengthening of the defensive capabilities of the Armed Forces and the planned rollout of the F-35A fighter aircraft in Switzerland will see the Payerne military airfield playing a more pivotal role in the future. With the aim of also sustainably promoting economic development within the Broye region in parallel to this, an agreement has been concluded in September 2024 between the Swiss Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport DDPS and regional stakeholders. The Federal Office for Defence Procurement armasuisse is helping to achieve this goal by developing a location within the swiss aeropole innovation and business park.

Promotion of dual innovation and engagement

The "Engagement and innovation" working group has been operating under the management of armasuisse Strategic Staff since the end of 2024. The working group is well established and comprises representatives from armasuisse, the Swiss Air Force, the cantons of Fribourg and Vaud (business development), COREB (Communauté régionale de la Broye), swiss aeropole and several universities (including EPFL - École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne, HES-SO - Haute école spécialisée de Suisse occidentale and the University of Fribourg). The aim of the working group is to promote opportunities for engagement and innovation projects with a dual purpose, i.e. on a civilian and military basis.

The armasuisse location in Payerne is one of the first tangible results of this working group. The intention is to help develop an ecosystem in which the public authorities, industry and universities can work together on developing technologies that are relevant to security.

Research activities in four focus areas

The recruitment process to bring in experts to work in the swiss aeropole co-working space at the Payerne location is already underway at armasuisse Science and Technology (S+T). Research activities are planned to be carried out in the areas of astronautics, energy, cybersecurity (particularly in the context of airfields and aviation systems) and drones. These activities will be geared to the requirements of the Armed Forces and will take place in close cooperation with industrial partners and various universities. The aim is to develop technologically innovative solutions and to evaluate the capabilities of future procurement systems.

Events and project kick-off

On 27 August 2025, Payerne played host to Energy Day. The purpose of the event organised by armasuisse Science and Technology (S+T) was to facilitate exchange and discussion on the latest technological developments in the energy sector between experts from the worlds of administration, science and business.

A hackathon has been scheduled to take place in November 2025 with the aim of working together with partners to further develop concrete project ideas in the area of aerospace.

The first research activities at the Payerne location are set to be launched from 2026 onwards.

Benefits of the location in Broye

With its location in Western Switzerland, its proximity to the Payerne military airfield and its links with various universities and industrial partners, the swiss aeropole innovation location is well placed for the development of an ecosystem for dual technologies. The location provides a lasting opportunity to strengthen security-relevant research and innovation. The site in Payerne is planned to be used for a long time in the future, albeit for a minimum of five years.