Multispectral camouflage systems: armasuisse makes decision to award contracts to Swiss and European manufacturers
Swiss Government
Press release
Published on 10 November 2025
Bern, 10.11.2025 -- The Federal Office for Defence Procurement armasuisse has decided to whom to award the contracts for multispectral camouflage systems (MSTS). This decision factored in the performance capability of the systems, their deployment integration as well as logistical and economic criteria. The systems will be procured from all of the three European suppliers on the shortlist - SSZ Camouflage AG from Switzerland, Saro GmbH from Germany and Saab Barracuda AB from Sweden.
The contracts encompass 14 lots which are allocated to the most suitable supplier in each instance based on the technical requirements. The camouflage and subterfuge systems tested reduce optical, infrared and radar-based signatures (the response of an object to electromagnetic waves), thus making a significant contribution to reducing detectability by modern sensors and to improving the protection afforded to the troops. This represents an important milestone in the modernisation of protection against enemy reconnaissance.
Testing of the three European shortlist candidates
As part of the invitation procedure, the systems offered by the three shortlist candidates—SSZ Camouflage AG (Zug, Switzerland), Saro GmbH (Hechingen, Germany) and SAAB Barracuda AB (Gamleby, Sweden with a branch office in Thun, Switzerland)—were tested and assessed on the basis of technical and operation criteria. Under the direction of armasuisse, the tests were carried out at the Thun and Bure military training areas between July and September. Also involved in the testing process were Joint Operations Command, the Swiss Air Force, the Swiss Land Forces, the Swiss Armed Forces Staff (AFS) as well as the Swiss Armed Forces Logistics Organisation (AFLO). The results of the tests formed the basis for the recent decision to award the contracts to the suppliers.
Results and decision to award contracts
The test results show that all three suppliers fulfil different requirements in terms of their effectiveness and, when combined, offer the best-possible protection against modern reconnaissance technologies. The selected camouflage and subterfuge systems reduce signatures in different electromagnetic spectra and thus meet the requirements set out by the Swiss Armed Forces. The awarding of the contract to Swiss supplier SSZ Camouflage AG is subject on condition that it can fulfil the requirement that it is suitable for military use.
Decision made in keeping with the Armament Policy Strategy of the Federal Council
The awarding of contracts for the multispectral camouflage systems (MSTS) to a Swiss supplier and two European suppliers helps to implement the Armament Policy Strategy of the Federal Council of 20 June 2025 on two counts. Firstly, the strategy promotes the strengthening of the domestic Security-relevant Technology and Industry Base, thus ensuring that Switzerland will also possess security-relevant key technologies and industrial core capabilities and capacities within its borders in the future. Secondly, the aim, where possible, is for 60% of the defence equipment procured by Switzerland to be purchased from domestic suppliers. In parallel to this, the strategy calls for an increase in the equipment purchased from neighbouring countries and other European countries, as these nations are particularly important to Switzerland with respect to its armament policy. In order to ensure that it is able to work together with other countries in a defensive capacity in the event of an armed conflict, Switzerland must procure systems and materials that are either identical to or compatible with those used by other countries. Furthermore, procuring this equipment from European countries improves supply chain security and boosts resilience in the event of a crisis or an armed conflict.
Multispectral camouflage system (MSTS)
Multispectral camouflage is an effective method of achieving an optimal camouflage effect that provides protection against the latest reconnaissance equipment. Today, reconnaissance activities are no longer limited to the capabilities of the human eye - ground-based and airborne sensors, such as drones, can record visual and infrared signals in the short-, medium- and longwave ranges on the electromagnetic spectrum. Numerous reconnaissance systems are also able to locate ground targets by means of backscattered microwaves (radar reconnaissance). A high-performance camouflage system therefore allows the signature of the object being camouflaged to be adapted in all of the relevant spectral ranges to the respective environment and conditions in which it is deployed. The multispectral camouflage system (MSTS) also helps to protect soldiers and infrastructure against enemy reconnaissance.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
