Strengthening the resilience and sustainability of the Swiss Armed Forces: Switzerland hosted the 13th meeting of the research working group Energy and Environment of the European Defence Agency
Bern, 25.06.2026 — More than 70 experts from 18 European nations came together on 23 and 24 June 2026 at the meeting of the “Energy and Environment Capability Technology Group” (EnE CapTech) of the European Defence Agency (EDA) in Zurich. Representatives from defence ministries, EU organisations, industry and research institutions from EU member states and partner states discussed challenges and solutions to promote European research and technological development in the energy sector and thus to strengthen the resilience and sustainability of the armed forces of the states involved.
Switzerland hosted the meeting, represented by the competence sector Science and Technology of the Federal Office for Defence Procurement armasuisse, for the first time since the “Energy and Environment CapTech” was founded in 2022. The group meets three times a year to discuss and coordinate research projects for defence-relevant energy and environmental topics.
The goal is to enhance capabilities by strengthening the resilience and sustainability of the armed forces of the countries involved.
This meeting focused on the progress of ongoing research projects as well as new approaches for improving the energy independence and resistance of military facilities. Amongst other things, innovative solutions for an energy-efficient infrastructure, resilient energy systems and sustainable technologies for the armed forces were discussed.
A key milestone of the meeting was the presentation of the updated EnE CapTech Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA), introducing a military energy-cycle approach that provides a more operationally relevant framework for future defence research and innovation.
The programme also included discussions on the Consultation Forum for Sustainable Energy in the Defence and Security Sector, CF SEDSS and the Incubation Forum for Circular Economy in European Defence, IF CEED. The participants discussed potential synergies to bring the initiatives closer together with the CapTech activities in the area of sustainable energy and energy security. Their contributions to strengthening energy supply security, sustainability and innovation in the entire European defence landscape were highlighted.
Energy-positive military infrastructure: Research project E+ZERO with Swiss participation
Switzerland has been participating in the research project E+ZERO since the ideation phase in 2024. This project has been developed as part of the EnE CapTech initiative.
The goal of the project E+ZERO is to develop mobile and stationary facilities that create more energy than they consume. Potential solutions include coordinated energy systems with renewable energy sources, storage systems and digital energy management. This should enable military facilities to become more independent of external supply structures, even under demanding operating conditions.
Centre Energy for Defence and Security CEDS at armasuisse
In 2025, armasuisse Science and Technology launched the specialist area “Centre Energy for Defence and Security (CEDS)”. This centre deals with issues of energy supply and technology in the military sector. Key areas of action include, amongst others, ensuring autonomous capability of areas, developing resilient fuel supply (Sustainable Aviation Fuel, SAF) and providing mobile power supply.
Increased international cooperation of Switzerland in the development of research and technology
In 2012, Switzerland signed an agreement with the EDA to promote cooperation in the area of research and technological development. The agreement, known as the Administrative Arrangement, was updated in December 2025. The updated agreement clarifies the processes concerning participation in projects as well as programmes and enables expansion of the cooperation, in particular in the areas of joint capability development and procurement. In view of the worsening security environment in Europe, a more strategic focus regarding cooperation was advisable. This will enable Switzerland to further expand its cooperation with European states in the security and defence sector, thus strengthening Switzerland’s interoperability and capacity to act.