The Swiss Armed Forces (Armasuisse) announced it selected the SIG Sauer P320 to serve as its new standard-issued sidearm in December. The decision is a critical step in the Swiss Armed Forces New Generation Project, a soldier-focused modernization effort.
SIG Sauer P220s are currently fielded by Switzerland’s military, which are officially designated as the Pistol 75 for its armed forces. After their original fielding nearly 50 years ago, however, their age is beginning to show. A total of 140,000 P320 replacements have been ordered, with the first 50,000 of the semi-auto 9 mm-chambered pistols scheduled to arrive sometime this year.
The majority, however, will not be manufactured in the United States. According to the Armasuisse Federal Office for Defence Procurement announcement, “SIG Sauer has guaranteed that it will relocate essential elements of production to Switzerland and thus develop and consolidate the location Switzerland (sic).”
A requirement for production in Switzerland is part of the nation’s Armament Policy Strategy, which was finalized in June 2025. It “ … places strong emphasis on increasing the national security of supply, protecting critical supply chains, maintaining and developing security-relevant industrial capabilities as well as on the technological autonomy of Switzerland,” the statement explains. “SIG Sauer fulfils these goals to a large extent, as the company plans an almost complete domestic production of the P320, thus enabling a stable, geopolitically independent production and supply line.”
The competitive selection process required extensive technical testing and field trials centered on user feedback, along with a comprehensive focus on safe, reliable operation. “SIG Sauer is truly honored by Armasuisse’s selection and validation that the P320 meets the stringent quality and precision demands of the Swiss Armed Forces,” SIG Sauer said in a statement on its website.
The P320 has been fielded by a variety of armed forces around the world. The U.S. Army announced its adoption in 2017.
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