SWITZERLAND: New combat clothing commissioned

The Federal Office for Armaments armasuisse has awarded the contract for the production of camouflage and work suits, which will be procured with the new Army Combat Clothing and Equipment (MBAS), to two Swiss, one British, one German, one Polish, and one Indian company. The clothing factories of all six companies were also checked in advance for social sustainability of production, such as working conditions and safety standards. The procurement volume for the camouflage and work suits amounts to around 35 million Swiss francs.

When procuring Modular Clothing and Equipment (MBAS) for the Army, the Federal Office for Armaments armasuisse has awarded the contract for the production of camouflage and work suits to five European companies and one Indian company. The companies are Albiro AG and Cross Fashion Ltd. from Switzerland, Cooneen Defence from the UK, Ziegler Textil AG from Germany, Unifeq Sp. Z.o.o. from Poland, and Qualiance Pvt. Ltd. from India. The procurement volume of the contracts amounts to around 35 million Swiss francs. All contracts are published on simap.ch.

Social sustainability and environmental standards checked at confectionery factories

armasuisse publicly tendered the contract for the production of camouflage and work suits. During the evaluation phase, the submitted offers were thoroughly reviewed. In addition to qualitative and financial criteria, special attention was paid to the confectionery factories of the suppliers. As is customary in this industry, the production facilities are mainly located in Eastern Europe or Asia. Before awarding the contract, armasuisse conducted an audit of the production facilities on site to ensure that the working conditions of production comply with the standards of the International Labour Organization and that safety standards are met. Compliance with environmental standards was also checked. The companies that were awarded the contract ensure compliance with these standards.

Confection of combat clothing on track

armasuisse publicly tendered the contract for the production of combat clothing in two announcements. With the award of the confection of the camouflage and work suit, the weather protection clothing, and the headgear, all orders for the production of combat clothing have now been placed.

The MBAS project includes the procurement of new combat clothing and carrying systems as well as a drinking system and ballistic body armor in two versions. The members of the army will be equipped with modern equipment that optimally supports their performance. Parliament approved credits for a procurement volume of 348 million Swiss francs with the Army Message 2018. The introduction will begin in 2023.

ARMASUISSE online