Swiss Defense Ministry overhauls procurement to tackle high-risk projects
The Swiss Ministry of Defense (DDPS) has adopted a new approach to procurement, aiming to ensure professional support from the start and mitigate risks. This comes as two major projects, the military communications modernization (TK A) and new production systems for the Federal Office of Topography (Swisstopo), are flagged as high-risk in the news.
The DDPS has signed framework agreements with external suppliers, including Saab, for the period from 2026 to 2037. These agreements set a cost ceiling of 5.7 million Swiss francs and aim to provide professional support from the outset, helping to identify and address risks early.
The TK A project, initially planned to be completed by 2032, has been delayed by three years due to software stability issues. Despite the necessary hardware reaching maturity, the software still lacks stability. The project is now expected to be completed by 2035, with parliament allocating 1.8 billion Swiss francs for its completion.
In response to the high-risk status of these projects in the news, the DDPS has hired three external providers for independent quality and risk management. This move aims to ensure the successful completion of these critical procurement projects.
The DDPS's new procurement approach, along with the hiring of external providers for risk management, is expected to improve the outcome of high-risk projects like TK A and Swisstopo's new production systems. Despite the delays and challenges, these projects remain a priority for the Swiss Ministry of Defense.
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