Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport DDPS
Important services provided during the pandemic: The Spiez Laboratory helps to protect Switzerland against nuclear, biological and chemical hazards.
The DDPS is concerned with security matters and the protection of Switzerland and its population. It is responsible for dealing with threats in our airspace, on the ground and in cyberspace. The armed forces, Federal Intelligence Service, civil protection services and the Spiez Laboratory in the Federal Office for Civil Protection all play a role in fulfilling the DDPS remit.
Member of the Federal Council since 2019.
«The DDPS works to protect Switzerland and its population.»
The DDPS has been heavily involved in Switzerland’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to the armed forces and civil protection services, the Spiez Laboratory has also been actively involved in crisis management, particularly in the area of diagnostics, mask testing and improving coordination between test laboratories. This shows that threats can come from many quarters and consequently require a range of security policy instruments.
One important instrument is the Swiss Air Force. On 27 September 2020, voters came out in favour of renewing the means available to protect Swiss airspace. Mid-2021 will see a further milestone in the Air2030 programme, when the new fighter aircraft and the new extended-range ground-based air defence system will be selected. Selection will be based on an evaluation report demonstrating the cost-benefit ratio of the best candidates. The Federal Council will then decide which systems to procure on that basis and thus which type of aircraft will protect the country from air attack from 2030.
In 2021 there are other important projects on the horizon, such as extending support for sporting activities. The Federal Council will submit the NASAK 5 dispatch to Parliament, a proposal to provide federal funding for new sports facilities of national importance. Other projects include the revision of the Intelligence Service Act. In addition to formal corrections, the DDPS is examining whether procurement measures requiring approval are also necessary in order to tackle violent extremism.
Expenses 2019 (CHF)7.1bn
Staff (FTEs) 201911 909
General Secretariat GS-DDPS Secretary General: Toni Eder www.gs-vbs.admin.ch
Federal Office for Civil Protection FOCP Director: Michaela Schärer www.babs.admin.ch
Federal Office for Defence Procurement armasuisse Chief of Defence Procurement: Martin Sonderegger www.armasuisse.ch
Federal Office of Topography swisstopo Director: Fridolin Wicki www.swisstopo.ch
Federal Office of Sport FOSPO Director: Matthias Remund www.baspo.ch
Defence sector Chief of the Armed Forces: Lieutenant General Thomas Süssli www.armee.ch
Federal Intelligence Service FIS Director a.i.: Jürg Bühler www.ndb.admin.ch
Office of the Armed Forces Attorney General Armed Forces Attorney General: Stefan Flachsmann www.oa.admin.ch
