Swiss Army

Switzerland

Swiss army prepares drone battalion as unmanned warfare expands

Switzerland is creating a drone centre of excellence, a dedicated battalion and a recruit school as unmanned systems become more important in modern and hybrid warfare. The article should examine the military rationale, the planned cooperation with universities and industry and the implications for Swiss defence policy.

The Local Switzerland · +1 more

Swiss Army

Swiss Army Deploys Helicopters to Fight Corsica Wildfires

The Swiss Army has sent three Super Puma helicopters and a 22-person specialist team to help fight major forest fires on the French island of Corsica. The humanitarian aid mission demonstrates Switzerland's role in international disaster relief and rapid response efforts.

SWI swissinfo.ch

Swiss Army

Amid Geopolitical Tensions, Swiss Army Considers Reopening Disused Bunkers

The Swiss defence ministry is assessing the feasibility of bringing old, disused military bunkers back into service for storing supplies, equipment, and ammunition. The move reflects a broader reassessment of national defense and resilience in light of the current European security situation.

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National Security

The Swiss Armed Forces have confirmed that several unidentified drones were recently observed flying in formation over a critical military installation, raising concerns about espionage and hybrid warfare. This story details the incident, the army's response, and politicians' calls for enhanced drone defence measures.

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Swiss Army

As the Swiss Army participates in a NATO 'Tiger Meet' exercise in Greece, the government is simultaneously evaluating new long-range air defence systems from four countries, signaling a deepening of international military cooperation.

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Swiss Army

A new survey reveals a significant portion of the Swiss population doubts the country's defense capabilities against modern threats. Reflecting a potential shift in sentiment on neutrality, a majority now favors closer security cooperation with NATO and neighboring European states.

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defense

A new survey reveals widespread public doubt about Switzerland's military preparedness, with a majority supporting closer cooperation with NATO. Coinciding with this sentiment, the Federal Council has proposed a CHF 3.4 billion investment to bolster the army, focusing on drone defense and cyber warfare capabilities.

SWI swissinfo.ch · +1 more

Defence

The Swiss government plans to reduce its order of F-35 jets from 36 to 30 due to price increases, while separately pushing forward with a controversial proposal to raise VAT to generate an additional CHF 31 billion for defence.

The Local Switzerland · +2 more

Swiss Army

To boost female recruitment, the Swiss parliament has endorsed a motion to eliminate financial disadvantages for women in the armed forces, specifically targeting low allowance rates for those who worked part-time before their service. The army aims to increase its female contingent to 10%.

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Swiss Army

Switzerland's defense strategy is facing challenges as the government reduces its F-35 fighter jet order from 36 to 30 due to price increases. Simultaneously, the delivery of its ordered US Patriot air-defence systems is expected to be pushed back by five years due to international demand.

The Local Switzerland · +2 more

National Security

While neighbors increasingly view Switzerland as a potential weak link in European security, the country's national defence strategy is mired in political debates over funding. This comes as Russia-linked cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns are reportedly on the rise, and public trust in the armed forces is declining.

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Society

A new record of 7,211 people were admitted to civilian service in Switzerland last year, with social services accounting for over half of the nearly 1.9 million service days performed, even as the government considers tightening access.

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National Security

A driving ban has been imposed on the Swiss army's entire fleet of 248 M113 armoured personnel carriers due to a critical steering and braking system defect, discovered during routine maintenance. The suspension is immediate and will last until the faults are rectified.

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WEF

With the World Economic Forum (WEF) commencing on January 13, the Swiss army has begun its deployment of up to 5,000 personnel to provide security in Davos, protecting key infrastructure and managing airspace for the high-profile international event.

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military

In a significant military cooperation initiative, Swiss forces are participating in extensive combat training exercises in Austria, marking the country's largest foreign ground troop deployment in three decades.

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