National Council wants to keep Beyond Gravity in Swiss government’s possession

The National Council has contested the sale of the aerospace company Beyond Gravity. It adopted a motion to this end with 121 to 53 votes. The campaign was submitted by the National Council's Defence Committee (SIK-N).

Beyond Gravity is a subsidiary of RUAG International, which the Federal Council, the Swiss government, has sold piece by piece over the past few years. The aerospace company remains but according to current plans it is to be privatized at the end of 2025. However, the motion urges the Federal Council to now rethink this plan.

According to the motion, Beyond Gravity is vitally important for Switzerland’s safety, the country’s innovation potential, and its industrial dynamic. Selling the company would reportedly be a “huge strategic error” according to a quote from National Council member Michael Götte (SVP/SG), speaker of SIK-N, in a parliamentary press release. It is further stated that the Federal Council would be separating itself from the fourth-largest player in the European space industry. Additionally, Beyond Gravity is said to be extremely important for the protection of Swiss security policy interests.

In its response to the motion, the Federal Council explained that it views its involvement in Beyond Gravity as unjustified. It had proposed that the motion be thrown out. After acceptance by the National Council, the initiative will now be transferred to the Council of States.

Swissmem rejects the motion. Beyond Gravity is the most important Swiss space company. Like many Swiss companies, it possesses cutting-edge technology that is rapidly evolving. This requires investments and entrepreneurial risk—both of which the government, even with a minority stake, cannot provide. Therefore, privatization is both correct and essential, according to the leading association for both SMEs and major corporations in the Swiss technology industry. ce/ssp