The Swiss National Council voted on September 16, 2026, to approve a 50 million Swiss franc credit to procure the SIG Sauer P320 as the military’s new service pistol, bypassing objections over technical evaluations and uncertified readiness according to reports from Watson. The decision follows a similar vote by the Council of States and greenlights the weapon designated as the “Pistole 26,” despite warnings from left-wing lawmakers that the firearm failed initial trials.
National Council Approves Uncertified SIG Sauer P320
By a vote of 132 to 63 with one abstention, the parliamentary majority rejected a minority motion brought by SP National Councillor Benoît Gaillard to strike the credit for the new sidearm. According to the sourced reports, the military needs to replace its 50-year-old service pistol, but the selected SIG Sauer P320 failed to earn military operational readiness certification from the army’s logistics base in the fall of 2025. Lawmakers backing the purchase rely on manufacturer assurances from SIG Sauer that defects will be corrected before serial production begins. Technical evaluations and testing of the null series are scheduled for mid-2027.
Debate Over Alternative Pistols and Procurement Risks
During the parliamentary debate, critics highlighted comparisons to the Austrian manufacturer Glock, whose Glock 45 model emerged as the clear technical winner of the Armasuisse evaluation. According to Watson, Glock could produce and deliver the required 50,000 units within months, whereas the chosen P320 configuration lacks testing and certification.
Did you know? According to the parliamentary debate, the Swiss army plans to procure roughly 50,000 units of the new service pistol with a total budget of 50 million Swiss francs, aiming for roughly 90 percent domestic value creation through local license production.
Party Lines and Strategic Budget Arguments
The vote split along traditional political lines, with the bourgeois majority uniting behind the Federal Council and Armasuisse director Urs Loher. The SVP, FDP, The Centre, and GLP voted in favor of the credit, citing the necessity of full equipment outfitting for army personnel, domestic value creation, and low lifecycle costs. Conversely, the SP and Green parties voted for outright cancellation. Green National Councillor Gerhard Andrey and SP members argued that the funds should instead be redirected toward urgent modern threats like anti-drone defense systems, noting that sidearms hold limited value in modern combat.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the new Armeepistole 26 be tested and deployed?
According to the parliamentary reports, technical evaluations of the improved null series and troop testing are slated for mid-2027.
How much does the procurement credit cost?
The National Council approved a commitment credit of 50 million Swiss francs for approximately 50,000 pistols.
Why did critics oppose the SIG Sauer P320 selection?
According to SP National Councillor Benoît Gaillard, the weapon failed to receive military operational readiness certification from the army logistics base during the 2025 evaluation phase.
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