Safran Wins Contract with Armasuisse for Next-Gen Binoculars

After a global competition, Armasuisse has chosen Safran Vectronix AG to provide the country’s armed forces with its infrared binoculars and night vision goggles

Switzerland’s Federal Office for Defence Procurement, armasuisse, belonging to the Federal Department of Defence, have chosen after an international competition Safran Vectronix AG, the Swiss subsidiary of Safran Electronics & Defence, to provide the country’s armed forces with its next generation of infrared handheld multifunction binoculars and night vision goggles (NVG), the company said in a statement. The corresponding federal budget was approved by the Swiss parliament at the end of September 2019.

“The contract concerns the supply of more than 1,000 multifunction infrared googles (JIM Compact™, MOSKITO TI™) and more than 8,000 stereoscopic night vision goggles (NYX™). Switzerland’s selection confirms Safran’s position as one of the world’s leading suppliers of handheld optronic equipment,” the Safran statement read.




The equipment to be delivered will expand the operational capabilities of the Swiss Confederation’s Armed Forces. They will cover a broad spectrum of operational needs, including day/night observation, target acquisition, including in GNSS denied environment, artillery and firing corrections, for forward observation and Joint Tactical Air Controller, under any weather conditions.

“Through its strategic partnership with Theon Sensors, Safran Electronics & Defence demonstrates its key positioning in the night vision goggles, with a mass production contract and the long term support of the fleet,” the statement added.

“We thank armasuisse for its renewed trust in Safran Vectronix AG and we are proud to offer the latest technological innovations in night vision for dismounted soldiers,” said the CEO of Safran Vectronix AG, Max Kreis. Safran’s JIM Compact™ and MOSKITO TI™ systems, as well as the night vision goggles NYX™ will be manufactured and supported by Safran Vectronix AG in Heerbrugg, Switzerland.