Defense and Military

The Federal Department of Defense, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) is represented at the Embassy by two offices: The Office of the Defense, Military, Naval, and Air Attaché and the armasuisse Washington Office (AWO)

Office of the Defense, Military, Naval, and Air Attaché

What we do

The Office of the Defense, Military, Naval, and Air Attaché covers U.S. and Canadian defense issues of interest to Switzerland. It represents the Swiss Armed Forces in the USA as well as in Canada and acts as point of contact for all business regarding the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Armed Forces, the Canadian Department of National Defense as well as the Canadian Armed Forces, with the exception of procurement.

The Office analyzes and reports on developments in the USA and Canada concerning security and military policy as well as questions regarding the armed forces of those countries. It identifies opportunities for military cooperation and fosters direct contacts between Switzerland as well as the USA and Canada. The Office furthermore organizes official visits and supports military students and exchanges of personnel between the Swiss, U.S., and Canadian Armed Forces. Finally, it contributes to the Embassy’s assessment of the local situation with regard to safety and security.

Team Members

  • Maj. Gen. Marco Schmidlin, Defense, Military, Naval and Air Attaché
  • LTC Yves Perret, Assistant Defense, Military, Naval and Air Attaché
  • Mr. Michael Lamont, Office Manager 

To contact the Office of the Defense, Military, Naval, and Air Attaché

Email: was.va@eda.admin.ch
Tel: +1 (202) 745-7930

Are you interested in an internship opportunity?

Every year the Defense Office offers two interships of 6 months for Swiss students. To learn more about the requirements please click here.

A former intern has shared his past experience through this article (PDF, 2 Pages, 2.3 MB, English) that eloquently portrays this internship and its tasks and duties.

The armasuisse Washington Office

What we do

The armasuisse Washington Office oversees technical and contractual Swiss government procurement of U.S. defense equipment and services. It supports Swiss industry to access the defense market of the U.S. Department of Defense under the current Memorandum of Understanding.

Armasuisse, the federal competence center for the procurement of technologically complex systems.

Team Members

  • Mr. Reto Weber, Defense Procurement Counselor/Attaché
  • Ms. Elizabeth Dall’Acqua, Deputy Defense Procurement Counselor

To contact the armasuisse Washington Office

Email: washington.awo@eda.admin.ch

Are you interested in an internship opportunity? Every year the armasuisse Washington Office offers two interships of 6 months for Swiss students. To learn more about the requirements please click here