Key facts
The new digitalisation platform (NDP) is bringing unity to the Armed Forces by creating a centralised and reliable infrastructure for its information and communications technologies (ICT). This will enable its resources to be deployed with precision, based on accurate, shared information. Implementing the necessary sensor-message-command and control network requires the networking and integration of services, sensors, actuators and decision-makers. This integration is being carried out using the standardised, mission-critical IT infrastructures and services that are being implemented with the NDP programme.
The project has previously been referred to in reports under the name of Data centres DDPS/federal 2020 ICT architecture & infrastructure (RZ2020 ICT A&I) as part of the DDPS’s top projects: it is listed as a key project in reports of the Federal Chancellery’s Digital Transformation and ICT Steering Sector (FCh-DTI). ICT A&I forms the basis of the ability to carry out robust and secure data processing. In order to reflect the broader context more closely, the entire NDP portfolio will be listed from now on as a programme encompassing all the required projects.
The Swiss Federal Audit Office (SFAO) had already audited the ICT A&I project in 2023 and 2024. In 2023, the focus was on project management and financing, while in 2024 it was on the provision of centralised functions and services.
The current audit assessed whether the benefits of the NDP can be achieved as quickly as possible. As such, the SFAO assessed whether the proposed settlement plan can provide the capabilities required of the troops from 1 July 2026, as planned. It also assessed whether the ambitious plan on the possibilities of the Armed Forces Cyber Command (AFCC) had been drawn up. Last but not least, the SFAO audited whether the reporting was plausible and transparent after summarising the various projects under the NDP programme.