As part of the exchange, the representatives from the three countries will present current research developments based on specific examples. This year, the focus will be on the topics of robotics and drone defence. A visit to the innovation laboratory “Soldier system” is also included. All topics relating to soldiers are explored here, such as their equipment and technology. In addition, common interests and further cooperations are to be identified at the meeting, to further strengthen collaboration in this area. This year’s meeting of the research directors from the DACH countries will take place at the Bundeswehr Research Institute for Materials, Fuels and Lubricants (WIWeB) in Erding, Germany.

Promoting research cooperation in the armaments area

Strengthening cooperation corresponds to the agreement for promoting research cooperation in the armaments area, which Federal President Viola Amherd signed in 2023 during the DACH talks with Germany and Austria.

During the DACH meeting, Switzerland and Austria will sign the first technical agreement on the topic of “Human Performance Monitoring” in the area of defence research and technology. This is a first step towards implementing support of research cooperation in the armaments area. As part of this collaboration, the exchange of expertise on technologies and findings for acquiring vital data of soldiers is to be promoted. This aims to further develop possibilities for optimising performance. The goals are to improve physical and mental performance and to promote injury prevention.

The exchange will take place under the leadership of Thomas Rothacher, Head of Science and Technology (S+T) and Deputy Chief of Armament, Urs Böniger, Head of Research and Innovation and the Deputy Head of armasuisse S+T, as well as Corina Beerli, team leader of Research.

The next DACH meeting of the research directors will take place in autumn 2025 in Switzerland.

armasuisse takes part in DACH meeting of research directors