EMP Defense Program

Intelligence Summary: Swiss EMP Defense Program (armasuisse)

Node Identity: The EMP Defense Program is an electromagnetic pulse defense and hardening research initiative conducted by armasuisse Science and Technology (S+T) under Research Program 4 ("Impact, Protection and Safety"). The program operates a dedicated High-Power Electromagnetics (HPE) Laboratory in Spiez (administered from Thun) for testing immunity to pulsed electromagnetic sources including nuclear-induced electromagnetic pulses (NEMP), lightning, and intentional electromagnetic interference (IEMI/HPEM). The program is defensively oriented, focusing on protection of Swiss critical infrastructure and military systems rather than offensive weapons development.

Strategic Relevance: Switzerland's EMP Defense Program is strategically significant as a comprehensive electromagnetic warfare protection capability. The HPE Laboratory in Spiez is a genuine test infrastructure for EMP/HPEM effects, and the HEMP grid analysis project (aramis.admin.ch ProjectID 55649) evaluates strategies to protect the Swiss electricity grid from High Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse attacks, including risk assessment, mitigation measures, and cost estimates. The Swiss Impulse Radiating Antenna (Swiss IRA) system, developed in collaboration with D.V. Giri (University of New Mexico), has been used for HPEM penetration testing into Swiss civil defense facilities since 2000. The 2022 "General Concept for Cyber and Electromagnetic Capabilities" (accepted by Federal Council April 13, 2022) describes cyber, electromagnetic, and IT capabilities required by the Swiss military, with implementation expected in stages until the 2030s. The INSIGNE project supports modernization of Swiss Armed Forces electronic warfare capabilities. This defensive orientation is consistent with Switzerland's neutrality doctrine.

Technical Focus / Capabilities: The EMP Defense Program encompasses: (1) NEMP protection research — investigating whether NEMP protection requirements could be reduced for cost savings while maintaining critical facility protection; (2) HPEM testing — Swiss IRA system for pulsed electromagnetic source immunity testing; (3) HEMP risk analysis — Swiss electricity grid vulnerability assessment and mitigation; (4) IEMI protection — intentional electromagnetic interference hardening; (5) EPFL EMC Laboratory collaboration — "Electromagnetic Shielding using Nanoparticles Embedded in Polymer Matrix Composites" and "Application of High Power Electromagnetics to Human Safety." Senior Scientist Dr. Carlos Romero (PhD EPFL, formerly Montena Technology SA designing MV generators and HPEM systems) is a noted EMP/IEMI expert.

Network Linkage: The EMP Defense Program maintains 1 documented connection: armasuisse conducts EMP Defense Program (at HPE Laboratory Spiez/Thun). The program collaborates with EPFL EMC Laboratory (armasuisse-funded research on electromagnetic shielding and HPEM human safety). The Swiss IRA system was developed with D.V. Giri (University of New Mexico). The 2022 Cyber/EM Concept and INSIGNE EW modernization project connect the program to broader Swiss military electromagnetic capability development. No evidence of offensive directed energy weapons (laser, microwave, plasma) development programs — the approach is defensively oriented per Swiss neutrality doctrine.