Armasuisse could buy the American pistol Sig Sauer P320

As part of a large order of handguns, the Federal Armament Office plans to get SIG Sauer P320. Nevertheless, Involved in several accidents in recent years. In addition, the model has nevertheless been the subject of lively controversy in the United States.

“Military purchases are important for relations with the United States,” Martin Pfister said on Sunday on the sidelines of the federal festival for the shooting of young people in Saint-Triphon (VD). armasuisse could buy american pistol Consequently, In an attempt to reduce customs duties inflicted on Switzerland. However, the federal advisor Martin Pfister said he was open to buy more American weapons.

While the contract around F-35 planes is still underway. Moreover, the debate on their price rages, a first step in this sense could take place next December. Meanwhile, According to the Sunday newspaperthe Swiss army indeed needs new handguns. Therefore, the Federal Armament Office (Armasuisse) scrutinizes the market to find the suitable pistol.

A purchase of 100,000 copies is initially planned, for a budget of 90 million francs accessories included. However, Among the candidate suppliers are Europeans Glock. Moreover, Heckler & Koch, but especially Sig Sauer, a Swiss company whose P320 pistol is manufactured in the United States.

Problem: the latter is widely criticized across the Atlantic, where he is accused of drawing on his own. In addition, The model would thus be at the origin of several accidents in the United States. but also in Switzerland where it is used by certain cantonal fonts.

An “unexplained shot” – Armasuisse could buy american pistol

Relayed by the Sunday newspaperthe Washington Post has thus identified some 100 accidents involving the Sig Sauer P320. In each case, a shot would have left without the relaxation having been activated. The American newspaper reports at least 80 injured.

In October 2024, a civilian even lost his armasuisse could buy american pistol life near Philadelphia, following an accidental shot of P320. Rebelote last July. when an “unexplained shot” from Sig Sauer’s weapon led to the death of a 21 -year -old soldier in a Wyoming air base.

The Air Force Global Strike Command. one of the major commandments of the American air force, had suspended the use of the pistol in its units following the drama. The P320 has also been dismissed by Chicago, Milwaukee and Houston fonts.

More than 100 complaints

According to the Sunday newspaperthe weapon is used in Switzerland by several police. In 2019. an accidental shot notably injured a Saint-Gallois police officer at the thigh during training, but the case has been classified since. Two incidents involving the pistol also occurred in the canton of Uri in armasuisse could buy american pistol 2019 and 2024.

In total, Sig Sauer would face more than 100 complaints linked to the P320. Representing many victims. lawyer Robert Zimmerman denounces to the Washington Post:

Accusations that the Swiss manufacturer has been contesting for years.

“Fake information”

It must be said that the technical origin of accidents has not yet been demonstrated. Recent tests led by the FBI following an incident in Michigan have thus revealed “no failure”. Several experiences carried out in the past by independent laboratories or by the American army have reached the same conclusion.

Armasuisse also carried out his own technical tests. During these, none of armasuisse could buy american pistol the pistols accidentally fired.

“It is not surprising that. in the context of a military call for tenders, rumors and false information is knowingly disseminated, in particular on social networks, to influence decisions” declared to the Sunday newspaper Pasquale Caputi, boss of Sig Sauer Switzerland. In a press release. the company adds that “the P320 is one of the safest and most advanced pistols in the world” and that 17 complaints about it have already been rejected in the United States,

The weapon therefore keeps all its chances of being chosen by Armasuisse. If it came to win the contract in December. Sig Sauer plans to repatriate the production of new military pistols on its site in Neuhausen Am Rheinfall, in the canton of Schaffhouse (JZS).