BREAKING: Switzerland Adopts the SIG Sauer P320

The Swiss Army will become the 5th military to adopt the SIG P320 as its standard issue sidearm, alongside Australia, Canada, Denmark, and the United States. Armasuisse, Switzerland’s Federal Office for Defence Procurement has announced the selection of the SIG P320 to replace the P75 (SIG Sauer P220). 

Localised production is often a key factor in militaries selecting weapon systems and the Armasuisse statement announced that “The manufacturer [SIG Sauer] has assured that production will be set up in Switzerland. This complies with the Armament Policy Strategy of the Federal Council to retain and set up security-relevant industrial capabilities in Switzerland.”

The Swiss pistol program is part of the broader Swiss Armed Forces New Generation project. The Swiss sought a pistol with modern ergonomics, modularity and a 30 year service life. The tender for a new pistol was launched in 2024, from the pistols submitted five were selected for preliminary evaluations. These were then tested by “an expert team of specialists from armasuisse and the Armed Forces”. Pistols from three manufacturers were down-selected for final testing: the Glock G45 Gen 5, Heckler & Koch’s SFP9 and the SIG Sauer P320.

Armasuisse noted that initially only the Glock G45 met all the mandatory criteria and was classified as suitable for service. During the testing and evaluation of the pistols, which included “intensive and comprehensive technical testing, a field trial and the review of logistical aspects” where “special attention was paid to the safe handling of the pistols.”

Subsequently, however, Armasuisse explain that following an “overall arms policy and economic assessment revealed substantial advantages of the model SIG Sauer P320 in relevant areas.” A cost-benefit analysis also favoured the P320, noting that “although the evaluated weapon systems are almost equal in terms of overall benefit, they differ considerably with regard to the overall costs.”

SIG Sauer has reportedly guaranteed that it will relocate “essential elements of production” to Switzerland with the aim to develop and consolidate manufacture and maintenance in Switzerland.

With regard to the technical issues initially identified with the P320 during testing Armasuisse noted that the pistols would be improved and that SIG Sauer are contractually obliged to resolve any issues, the announcement statement explains:

“The potential improvements identified with the SIG Sauer P320, that led to non-compliance with a technical requirement and to non-classification as suitable for use by the troops, were subjected to an in-depth analysis.

This analysis showed that these were requalifiable adjustments attributable to aspects that can be resolved constructively, such as ergonomics and robustness of components.

The technical rectifications lie within realistic parameters and have been bindingly guaranteed by SIG Sauer.”

From the image attached to the Armasuisse press release it appears that the P320 configuration selected is the X-Carry, similar to that adopted by Denmark back in 2018.

SIG Sauer Swiss released a press release about the selection [machine translated]:

"SIG SAUER AG is extremely pleased with armasuisse's decision to select the P320 pistol as the new service pistol of the Swiss Army. This award is a strong commitment to Swiss industry and an important milestone for our site in Neuhausen am Rheinfall.

With SIG SAUER's network of several hundred suppliers in all regions of the country, all relevant components of the new pistol can be manufactured and serviced entirely in Switzerland. This strong Swiss presence and correspondingly high, sustainable added value guarantees quality, security of supply, and rapid production availability

Pasquale Caputi, CEO of SIG SAUER AG, added: “We are proud and grateful for the trust that armasuisse has placed in us. This decision strengthens Switzerland as an industrial location and motivates our entire team in Neuhausen am Rheinfall. We will work with the utmost precision and full commitment to reliably meet the army's requirements and deliver a highly reliable and safe product to the troops.”

The new Swiss pistol combines modern technology, high durability, and precise handling—and stands for Swissness, quality, and a long industrial tradition at the Rhine Falls. The technical and ergonomic adjustments required following troop trials will be fully implemented.

The entire team in Neuhausen looks forward to implementing this important project and to the expanded collaboration with armasuisse and the Swiss Army.

The SIG Sauer P320 will replace the iconic P220 which entered Swiss service back in 1975. It will likely also replace any P03 (SIG Pro SPC 2009) still in service and possibly the Pistol 12/15 Standard (Glock 17).

Switzerland has set aside “a mid-range double-digit million amount” for the procurement of 140,000 SIG Sauer P320s, with the initial lot numbering 50,000 pistols. In addition to the new pistols additional magazines, cleaning kits, holsters, spares, and training equipment such as inert drill purpose pistols will also be procured.