Switzerland - Aerospace and DefenseSwitzerland - Aerospace and Defense
Overview
U.S. companies account for roughly 30% of Swiss imports in the Aerospace and Defense sector. Further opportunities for U.S. exporters exist, as the Swiss Defense Ministry relies on cooperation and expertise from foreign companies and Swiss aerospace and defense companies are generally open to broadening their base of U.S. suppliers.Local production of Aerospace and Defense related products amounts to roughly $3 billion. RUAG, a state owned enterprise, is a primary supplier to the Swiss armed forces. Switzerland’s sole aircraft maker, Pilatus Aircraft, develops and produces high-performance single-engine turboprops and private business jets. Approximately 30 Swiss manufacturers are involved in the development, production, and assembly of structural components, systems integration and services for aircraft, helicopter, and defense systems, and civilian aeronautics and space technology.
| (In million USD) | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 (Estimated) |
| Total Local Production1 | 3,475 | 3,255 | 2,883 | 3,057 |
| Total Exports2 | 2,577 | 2,714 | 4,931 | 1,953 |
| Total Imports2 | 1,612 | 1,752 | 3,909 | 2,990 |
| Imports from the US2 | 546 | 553 | 2,538 | 1,086 |
| Total Market Size | 2,510 | 2,293 | 1,861 | 4,094 |
| Exchange Rates Applied | 0.915 | 0.963 | 0.985 | 0.985 |
1 Estimate includes RUAG’s overall sales and sales of Pilatus Aircraft to reflect local production in the Aerospace sector.
2 Includes Aerospace products traded (HS Code 88) and arms and ammunition (HS Code 93) as a proxy for defense goods, per Global Trade Atlas referring to data from the U.S. Census and Swiss Customs.
Leading Sub-Sectors
Fighter jets, weapon systems, military vehicles, and high-tech and innovative solutions linked to the defense or aerospace.Opportunities
Opportunities exist for innovative U.S. suppliers in the field of aerospace and defense. Notably, the Swiss Defense Ministry is considering an acquisition of 30 to 40 fighter jets and a ground-based air defense (GBAD) system as of part of its “Air2030” program. The total value of the jets and the ground-based air defense system is estimated at $8 billion. Aircraft and systems under consideration include Boeing’s F/A-18 Super Hornet, Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightning, and Raytheon’s Patriot systems. Currently, the Swiss government’s proposal is undergoing a public review period until September 22, 2018 and will likely be followed by a popular vote in 2019 or 2020.Web Resources
Air2030: https://www.vbs.admin.ch/de/verteidigung/schutz-des-luftraumes.htmlParis Air Show: https://www.siae.fr/en/
General Terms and Conditions for RUAG companies: https://www.ruag.com/en/general-terms-and-conditions
Federal Office for Civil Aviation (FOCA): https://www.bazl.admin.ch/bazl/en/home.html
Swiss Aerospace Cluster: https://swiss-aerospace-cluster.ch/?sf_paged=2
Prepared by the International Trade Administration. With its network of more than 100 offices across the United States and in more than 75 markets, the International Trade Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.