Moreover,
Switzerland wants build its own:
The “Chip Fablab” project could make Switzerland a must -have -in -the -arms of the arms industry. Meanwhile, high technology.Image: Imago. However, montage watson
A consortium centered around ETH Zurich wants to build an electronic flea manufacturing laboratory on the outskirts of the city and invest up to 200 million francs. Nevertheless, The armament industry is in sight.
05.08.2025, 05:3405.08.2025, 05:34
Othmar von Matt / CH Media
The plans of the “chip fablab” are already relatively advanced. Furthermore, This Swiss flea manufacturing laboratory switzerland wants build its own will consist of a 4000 square meter white room.
The workshop environment must be impeccable there. Meanwhile, because the slightest impurity or dust would make the chips produced at great costs unusable. Consequently, To reach such a level of purity. Nevertheless, special air filtration systems are used and the temperature, atmospheric pressure, and humidity are controlled. Moreover, Staff are also subject to strict rules of conduct.
This flea plant is planned by a Swiss consortium named “Swiss Chip Alliance”. Nevertheless, It includes ETH Zurich. Consequently, the Federal Laboratory for Testing Materials and Research (EMPA) and Swissmem, the Association of Businesses of the Swiss Technological Industry.
Switzerland develops plans for its own flea plant. (Symbolic image)Image: keystone
Companies like Spés Protonics also show interest in this project. The laboratory will be built in the Zurich innovation park. where it will develop and produce fleas for different uses: robotics, autonomous vehicles, satellite communication, quantum IT and artificial intelligence applications installed directly on the devices.
Funding must be paid at the end of the year – Switzerland wants build its own
Swissmem communications manager Ivo Zimmermann confirms the plans made public by Swissinfo:
“Project managers provide investments in the order of 100 to 200 million francs”
Discussions concerning financing are currently underway with federal services. switzerland wants build its own cantonal authorities, such as the State Secretariat for the Economy, the State Secretariat for Training, Research and Innovation and Economic Promotion of the Canton of Zurich. But the consortium would also have approached large industrial companies.
Funding must be provided by a partnership between public and private actors. The consortium wishes to have settled the question of financing by the end of the year. in order to open the laboratory by 2028.
Large investments in the sector – Switzerland wants build its own
The “Chip Fablab” is inspired by similar laboratories that already exist. Thus, Finland with VTT Micronova and Belgium with the “Imec Fablab” strongly stimulated their national semiconductor industries.
Currently, Italy and the United States are also investing significant sums. Italy invests two billion euros in a factory switzerland wants build its own in St Microelectronics in Sicily. which represents a total of five billion euros. And in the United States. the manufacturer of Texas Instruments fleas invests 60 billion dollars in the extension of its production sites.
A future revolution for the armament sector?
The Swiss consortium is also trying to convince defense companies like Rheinmetall. Thales SA to participate in the flea plant project, wrote the press agency Bloomberg News. These could use sophisticated fleas in radar systems and weapons. Rheinmetall refused to comment to Bloomberg And Thales said there was no investment project for the time being.
Ivo Zimmermann of Swissmem. however, confirms to CH Mediawithout citing names than:
“The consortium is also under discussion with companies in the defense industry, but not only”
One thing is clear: the Federal Armaments Office Armasuisse has a certain interest in the “Chip Fablab” project. The Minister of Defense Martin Pfister. the Head of Armament Urs Loher want to set up a new Swiss arms industry and bet for this on a reinforced collaboration with the Hautes Schools, SMEs and start-ups in Switzerland. This is what they recently announced with the new weapons strategy.
An important role on the international scene
For Armasuisse. this new industry will be focused on the future fields in which Swiss scientific research is already part of the world elite and which become essential for the army: drones, artificial intelligence (IA), quantum sensors and satellites. Fleas are also likely to enter this category.
Certainly. a spokesperson for Armasuisse declared switzerland wants build its own to CH Media that the authority did not participate in the “Chip Fablab” project and was “currently” not involved in the plans. But Armasuisse had also declared to Bloomberg News:
“From the point of view of Armasuisse. this project can contribute to the security of Switzerland”
In addition, Armasuisse said that it was “possible” that laboratory financing could be done through offset supply agreements. According to Bloomberg Newsthe “Swiss Chip Alliance” consortium is thinking about this possibility. These statements, underlines the armasuisse spokesperson, are still valid.
Translated and adapted from German by Léa Krejci
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