View source for Swiss Armed Forces

{{Short description|Military of Switzerland}}
{{Distinguish|Swiss Guard}}
{{Redirect|Swiss Army|the multi-function pocket knife|Swiss Army knife}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Infobox national military
| name = Swiss Armed Forces
| native_name = {{unbulleted list|{{native name|de|Schweizer Armee}}|{{native name|fr|Armée suisse}}|{{native name|it|Esercito svizzero}}|{{native name|rm|Armada svizra}}}}
| image = [[File:Swiss army logo 2023 DFIR.svg|300px]]
| alt = 
| caption = 
| image2 = 
| alt2 = 
| caption2 = 
| motto = 
| founded = 1 August 1291<br>({{age in years and days|1291|8|1}})
| current_form = 
| disbanded = 
| branches = {{unbulleted list|{{flagdeco|Switzerland}} Swiss Army|{{air force|Switzerland}}}}
| headquarters = 
| flying_hours = 
| website = {{URL|https://www.vtg.admin.ch/}}<br />{{URL|https://www.armee.ch/}}
<!-- Leadership -->| commander-in-chief = [[File:Flag of a Swiss Armed Forces general and Chief of the Armed Forces.svg|x20px|Flag of the General]] Vacant in peacetime
| commander-in-chief_title = [[General (Switzerland)|Commander-in-chief]]
| chief minister = 
| chief minister_title = 
| minister = [[Martin Pfister]]
| minister_title = [[Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport|Minister of Defence]]
| commander = [[File:Flag of a Swiss Armed Forces general and Chief of the Armed Forces.svg|x20px|Flag of the Chief of the Armed Forces]] Lt Gen [[Thomas Süssli]]
| commander_title = [[Chief of the Armed Forces (Switzerland)|Chief of the Armed Forces]]
<!-- Manpower -->| age = 19 years of age for male compulsory military service; 18 years of age for voluntary male and female military service;
| conscription = 19–34 years of age (males only)<br />40 for subaltern officers, 50 for staff officers and higher
| active = 147,178{{efn|Includes personnel in training, as well as those participating in annual 3-4 week repetition courses.}}<ref name="vbs27feb2024">[https://www.vbs.admin.ch/de/vbs-in-zahlen] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120081502/https://www.vbs.admin.ch/de/vbs-in-zahlen |date=20 January 2024 }} "Eidgenössiches Departement für Verteidigung, Bevölkerungsschutz und Sport" (in German). Retrieved 27 February 2024.</ref>
| reserve = 
| amount = [[Swiss franc|CHF]] 6.3 billion<br>(~{{US$|7.87 billion}}, 2025) <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vbs.admin.ch/de/finanzierung-armee|title=Finanzierung und Ausrüstung der Armee|publisher=Eidgenössisches Departement für Verteidigung, Bevölkerungsschutz und Sport VBS|date=2024-10-02|accessdate=2025-07-28|language=de}}</ref>
| percent_GDP = 0.72% (2024)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://de.statista.com/statistik/daten/studie/300321/umfrage/anteil-der-militaerausgaben-am-bruttoinlandsprodukt-in-der-schweiz/|title=Militärausgaben in der Schweiz in Relation zum Bruttoinlandsprodukt (BIP) von 2004 bis 2024|publisher=Statista|author= 
Philipp Henrich|date=2025-05-28|accessdate=2025-07-28|language=de}}</ref>
<!-- Industrial -->| domestic_suppliers = {{unbulleted list|[[MOWAG]]|[[RUAG]]|[[SIG Holding|SIG]]|[[Swiss Arms]]}}
| foreign_suppliers = 
| imports = 
| exports = <!-- Related articles -->
| history = 
| ranks = [[Military ranks of Switzerland]]
}}

The '''Swiss Armed Forces''' ({{langx|de|Schweizer Armee}}; {{langx|fr|Armée suisse}}; {{langx|it|Esercito svizzero}}; {{langx|rm|Armada svizra}}; {{literally|Swiss Army}}) are the [[military]] forces of [[Switzerland]], consisting of land and [[Swiss Air Force|air service]] branches. Under the country's militia system, [[soldier|regular soldiers]] constitute a small part of the military and the rest are conscripts or volunteers aged 19 to 34 (in some cases up to 50). Because of [[Swiss neutrality|Switzerland's long history of neutrality]], the Swiss Armed Forces have not been involved in foreign wars since the early 19th century, but do participate in [[Peacekeeping|international peacekeeping missions]]. Switzerland is part of the NATO [[Partnership for Peace]] programme.<ref>[http://www.gipri.ch/publications/cahiers/cahier2/ Frontières entre police et armée] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018144859/http://www.gipri.ch/publications/cahiers/cahier2/ |date=18 October 2016}}, Cahier du GIPRI, n° 2, 2004</ref>

The regulations of the Swiss militia system stipulate that the soldiers keep their own personal equipment, including all personally assigned weapons, at home or in an armoury; until 2007 this also included ammunition.<ref>[http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/Specials/Gun_debate/Background/Archives/Soldiers_can_keep_guns_at_home_but_not_ammo.html?cid=970614 SwissInfo] Soldiers can keep guns at home but not ammo {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002064014/http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/Specials/Gun_debate/Background/Archives/Soldiers_can_keep_guns_at_home_but_not_ammo.html?cid=970614|date=2 October 2012}} ''Swissinfo''</ref> [[Conscription in Switzerland|Compulsory military service]] applies to all male Swiss citizens, with women serving voluntarily. Males usually receive initial orders at the age of 18 for military conscription eligibility screening. About two-thirds of young Swiss men are found suitable for service, while alternative service exists for those found unsuitable.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nzz.ch/nachrichten/schweiz/zwei_drittel_der_rekruten_diensttauglich_1.687233.html |title=Zwei Drittel der Rekruten diensttauglich |work=[[Neue Zürcher Zeitung|NZZ]] |date=11 March 2008 |access-date=23 February 2009 |language=de}}</ref> Annually, approximately 20,000 persons undergo [[Recruit training|basic training]] for 18 weeks (23 weeks for special forces).

In 2003, the reform "Army XXI" replaced the previous model "Army 95" and was adopted by popular vote, reducing manpower from 400,000 to about 200,000 personnel, with 120,000 receiving periodic military training and 80,000 reservists who have completed their total military training requirements.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Le pourcentage d’aptitude au service se maintient aux alentours de 70 % |url=https://www.vtg.admin.ch/fr/le-pourcentage-daptitude-au-service-se-maintient-aux-alentours-de-70-pourcent}}</ref> A further reform effective in 2018 heralded the reduction of forces to 100,000 members.

==History==
{{Main|Military history of Switzerland}}
[[File:Schlacht bei Sempach Aquarell 1513 crop.jpg|thumb|The [[Battle of Sempach]], 1386]]
[[File:Abfertigen einer Meldung durch Brieftauben - CH-BAR - 3240471 - restoration.jpg|Swiss soldiers with [[war pigeon]]s during [[World War I]]|thumb]]
The land component of the Swiss Armed Forces originated from the cantonal troops of the [[Old Swiss Confederacy]], called upon in cases of external threats by the [[Tagsatzung]] or by the canton in distress. In the [[Restoration (Switzerland)|federal treaty]] of 1815, the Tagsatzung prescribed [[Militia System|cantonal troops]] to put a contingent of 2% of the population of each canton at the federation's disposition, amounting to a force of some 33,000 men. The cantonal armies were converted into the federal army (''Bundesheer'') with the [[Swiss constitution 1848|constitution]] of 1848. From this time, it was illegal for the individual cantons to declare war or to sign [[Capitulation (treaty)|capitulation]]s or peace agreements. Paragraph 13 explicitly prohibited the federation from sustaining a [[standing army]], and the cantons were allowed a maximum standing force of 300 each (not including the ''Landjäger'' corps, a kind of police force). Paragraph 18 declared the "obligation" of every Swiss citizen to serve in the federal army if conscripted (''Wehrpflicht''), setting its size at 3% of the population plus a [[Swiss Reserve|reserve]] of one and one half that number, amounting to a total force of some 80,000.

[[File:Clemens-1896-swiss army.png|thumb|left|A Swiss Army exercise in 1896, as depicted by Joseph Clemens Kaufmann]]
The first complete [[mobilization]], under the command of [[Hans Herzog]], was triggered by the [[Franco-Prussian War]] in 1871. In 1875, the army was called in to crush a strike of workers at the [[Gotthard Rail Tunnel|Gotthard tunnel]]. Four workers were killed and 13 were severely wounded.

Paragraph 19 of the revised constitution of 1874 extended the definition of the federal army to every able-bodied male citizen, which would have swollen the size of the army, had it not been replaced by later revisions, from under 150,000 to more than 700,000, with population growth during the 20th century rising further to some 1.5 million,{{Citation needed|date=May 2022}} the second largest armed force ''per capita''{{How|date=May 2022}} after the [[Israel Defense Forces]].{{Citation needed|date=May 2022}}

[[File:Schweizer Militärmarke.jpg|thumb|upright|Military badge belonging to Julien Wyler, 1929, in the collection of the [[Jewish Museum of Switzerland]]]]
Prior to the revised constitution, [[History of the Jews in Switzerland|Jews in Switzerland]] were excluded from the army, with various exceptions and special conditions through the years. In 1808, the laws of mandatory military service were particularly strict for [[Jews]], who, unlike [[Christians]], could not opt to be replaced by a volunteer. During this time, Jews were not considered to be Swiss citizens. Following the introduction of Jewish corporations in 1813, they were given separate documentation for military enlistment. A special rule in 1816 demanded that the Jews should pay an equipment contribution of 1000 francs per year (400 francs in 1808). From 1852 onwards, Jews served in the army like other Swiss citizens, and the constitution of 1874 removed all remaining discriminatory measures.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Weldler-Steinberg |first=Augusta |title=Geschichte der Juden in der Schweiz: Vom 16. Jahrhundert bis nach der Emanzipation |publisher=Schweizerischer Israelitischer Gemeindebund |year=1966 |pages=166–168 |language=de}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Battegay |first1=Caspar |last2=Lubrichy |first2=Naomi |title=Jewish Switzerland: 50 Objects Tell Their Stories |publisher=Christoph Merian |year=2018 |isbn=978-3-85616-847-6 |location=Basel |page=146 |language=en, de}}</ref>

A major [[Military exercise|manoeuvre]] commanded in 1912 by [[Ulrich Wille]], a reputed [[Germanophile]], convinced visiting European heads of state, in particular [[Kaiser Wilhelm II]], of the efficacy and determination of Swiss defences.<ref>{{HDS|8926<!--Section 3-1-->|World War I–Preparation}}</ref> Wille was subsequently put in command of the second complete mobilization in 1914, and Switzerland escaped invasion in the course of [[World War I]]. Wille also ordered the suppression of the 1918 general strike (''[[Landesstreik]]'') with military force. Three workers were killed, and a rather larger number of soldiers died of the [[Spanish flu]] during mobilization. In 1932, the army was called to suppress an anti-fascist demonstration in Geneva. The troops shot dead 13 demonstrators, wounding another 65. This incident long damaged the army's reputation, leading to persistent calls for its abolition among left-wing politicians. In both the 1918 and the 1932 incidents, the troops deployed were consciously selected from rural regions such as the [[Berner Oberland]], fanning the enmity between the traditionally conservative rural population and the urban working class. The third complete mobilization of the army took place during [[World War II]] under the command of [[Henri Guisan]] (see also [[Switzerland during the World Wars]]). The [[Patrouille des Glaciers]] race, created to test the abilities of soldiers, was created during the war.

[[File:Kavallerieschwadron 1972.jpg|thumb|left|Veterans' dragoons squadron in 2006, presenting the uniform of 1972]]

In the 1960s and 1970s, the armed forces were organised according to the "Armee 61" structure. Horse mounted [[cavalry]] (specifically [[dragoon]]s) were retained for combat roles until 1973, and were the [[Dragoon#Switzerland|last non-ceremonial horse cavalry]] in Europe, as were [[bicycle infantry]] battalions until 2001.<ref>
{{cite news
|first=Claire
|last=Doole
|work=BBC News
|title=End of road for Swiss army cyclists
|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/1325485.stm
|access-date=5 February 2008
|date=11 May 2001
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831155131/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/1325485.stm
|archive-date=31 August 2017
|url-status=live}}
</ref>

Since 1989, there have been several attempts to curb military activity or even abolish the armed forces altogether. A notable referendum on the subject was held on 26 November 1989 and, although defeated, did see a significant percentage of the voters in favour of such an initiative.<ref>{{cite web |title=L'évolution de la politique de sécurité de la Suisse |url=http://www.nato.int/docu/revue/1993/9306-05.htm |language=fr |publisher=NATO |access-date=12 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090513114556/http://www.nato.int//docu/revue/1993/9306-05.htm |archive-date=13 May 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref> However, a similar referendum, called for before, but held shortly after the [[11 September attacks]] in 2001 in the US, was defeated by over 77% of voters.<ref name="2-12">{{cite web |title=Volksabstimmung vom 2. Dezember 2001 |url=http://www.admin.ch/ch/d/pore/va/20011202/det482.html |language=de |publisher=Federal Chancellery |access-date=12 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100815050830/http://www.admin.ch/ch/d/pore/va/20011202/det482.html |archive-date=15 August 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1989, the status of the army as a national icon was shaken by a [[popular initiative]] aiming at its complete dissolution (see: ''[[Group for a Switzerland without an Army]]'') receiving 35.6% support. This triggered a series of reforms and, in 1995, the number of troops was reduced to 400,000 ("Armee 95"). Article 58.1 of the 1999 constitution repeats that the army is "in principle" organized as a militia, implicitly allowing a small number of professional soldiers. A second initiative aimed at the army's dissolution in late 2001 received a mere 21.9% support.<ref name="2-12"/> Nevertheless, the army was shrunk again in 2004, to 220,000 men ("Armee XXI"), including the [[Swiss Reserve|reserves]].

In 2016, the [[Federal Assembly (Switzerland)|Swiss Federal Assembly]] voted to further reduce the army from 140,000 men to 100,000 men, reducing the time of basic training from 21 weeks to 18, but also to increase the military budget by 2.4 billion [[Swiss franc]]s.<ref>{{cite web | title=Army Reforms Given Green Light by Parliament | url=http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/politics/swiss-military_army-reforms-given-green-light-by-parliament/42006598 | date=7 March 2016 | website=[[Swissinfo]] | access-date=31 March 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411164431/http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/politics/swiss-military_army-reforms-given-green-light-by-parliament/42006598 | archive-date=11 April 2016 | url-status=live}}</ref> In 2022, the Assembly voted to increase spending by 1.4 billion Swiss francs by 2030, or at least 1% of the country's GDP.<ref>{{cite web | title=Parliament approves boost in Swiss army spending | website=SWI swissinfo.ch | date=2 June 2022 | url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/politics/parliament-approves-boost-in-swiss-army-spending/47643056 | access-date=6 September 2023}}</ref> The government planned to spend up to 50 billion Swiss francs on defense through the early 2030s.<ref>{{cite web | last=Benrath | first=Bastian | title=Swiss Army Wants to Ramp Up Spending on Growing Europe Threats | website=Bloomberg.com | date=17 August 2023 | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-08-17/swiss-army-wants-to-ramp-up-spending-on-growing-europe-threats | access-date=18 January 2024}}</ref> In 2024, the Armed Forces was projected to face significant funding shortfalls.<ref>{{cite web | title=Media report: Swiss army to face big financial issues in coming years | website=SWI swissinfo.ch | date=1 February 2024 | url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/politics/media-report--swiss-army-to-face-big-financial-issues-in-coming-years/49176810 | access-date=5 February 2024}}</ref>

== Personnel ==
{{Further|Military ranks of Switzerland}}

As of 1 March 2017, the Swiss Armed Forces consist of 120,496 people on [[active duty]] (in Switzerland called ''Angehöriger der Armee'', shortly ''AdA'', engl.: ''Member of the Armed Forces''), of which 9,163 are professionals, with the rest being conscripts or volunteers.<ref name="basics">{{cite web|url=https://www.vbs.admin.ch/de/vbs/zahlen-fakten/armee.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205163220/https://www.vbs.admin.ch/de/vbs/zahlen-fakten/armee.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 February 2020|title=Die Schweizer Armee in Zahlen|publisher=Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports|language=de|trans-title=The Swiss Armed Forces in Numbers|access-date=29 May 2019}} Updated annually.</ref> Women, for whom military service is voluntary, numbered 929: less than 1% of the total, with over 25% thereof being officers.<ref name="basics"/> The numbers had increased by 2021. Once in service, women have the same rights and duties as their male colleagues, and they can join all services, including combat units. Recruits in multi-lingual Switzerland are usually instructed in their native language, except that the small number of [[Romansh language|Romansh]]-speaking recruits are instructed in German.

In contrast to most other comparable armed forces, officers are generally not career regulars. Under the most recent army reform, all soldiers complete a full recruit school of 18 weeks.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.vtg.admin.ch/content/vtg-internet/fr/aktuell/themen/die-weiterentwicklung-der-armee/_jcr_content/inpagenav/items/deva_flyer/tabPar/downloadlist_copy_96/downloadItems/25_1516194642978.download/83_231_f_Flyer_Ausbildungsmodell.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221125015604/https://www.vtg.admin.ch/content/vtg-internet/fr/aktuell/themen/die-weiterentwicklung-der-armee/_jcr_content/inpagenav/items/deva_flyer/tabPar/downloadlist_copy_96/downloadItems/25_1516194642978.download/83_231_f_Flyer_Ausbildungsmodell.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 November 2022|title=Le modèle d'instruction et de service de l'Armée suisse|website=Swiss Armed Forces|access-date=10 December 2019}}</ref> During the initial 18-week training period, recruits may volunteer for consideration to continue with NCO training.<ref name=":0" /> After the completion of NCO training, individuals are promoted to sergeant and integrated into platoons at recruit schools as squad leaders (''Gruppenchefs'', ''Chefs de Groupe'', ''Capogruppi''). Squad leaders support their platoon commanders for the 18-week duration of the recruit school, with the exception of those who volunteer for officer school—they leave after 7 weeks of service as squad leaders—while those who volunteer for higher NCO school leave after 12 weeks of service as squad leaders. Officer candidates complete a 15-week course to prepare them for their role as platoon leaders (''Zugführer'', ''Chef de section'', ''Caposezione''), which traditionally culminates in a march covering {{convert|100|km|mi}} in 24 hours. After promotion to lieutenant, platoon leaders return to their recruit schools, where they take charge of a recruit school platoon for 18 weeks.<ref name=":0" />

There were about 15,000 officers and 29,000 NCOs in the Swiss Armed Forces in 2021.<ref name="basics" /> Those of higher rank serve for longer each year; a private may serve 365 days over 30 years, while a high-ranking officer may serve 2,000 days before retiring. Each promotion requires more time, which is known as "paying your rank". This describes the mechanism of a soldier fulfilling their rank's minimal service time after being promoted into said rank. Companies subsidize military training by continuing to pay their employees, who list their ranks and responsibilities on their résumés.<ref name="mcphee19831031">{{cite news | url=http://archives.newyorker.com/default.aspx?iid=16248&startpage=page0000103#folio=050 | title=La Place de la Concorde Suisse-I | magazine=The New Yorker | date=31 October 1983 | access-date=22 July 2013 | author=McPhee, John | pages=50 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714230210/http://archives.newyorker.com/default.aspx?iid=16248&startpage=page0000103#folio=050 | archive-date=14 July 2014 | url-status=live}}</ref>

In January 2023, the Swiss Armed Forces began integrating Muslim and Jewish [[Military chaplain|chaplains]] into the service. The army's chaplaincy had only been open to Catholics and Protestants until then. New insignia have been created for military jackets: the [[Star and crescent|Islamic crescent]] for Muslims and the [[Tablets of Stone]] for Jews.<ref>{{cite web |author=RCH |title=L'Aumônerie de l'armée est désormais ouverte aux non-chrétiens |url=https://www.rtn.ch/rtn/Actualite/Region/20230110-L-Aumonerie-de-l-armee-est-desormais-ouverte-aux-non-chretiens.html |access-date=25 November 2023 |website=www.rtn.ch |date=10 January 2023 |language=fr-CH}}</ref>

===Conscription===
{{Main|Conscription in Switzerland}}
Switzerland has mandatory military service for all able-bodied male [[Swiss citizen|citizens]], who are [[conscription|conscripted]] when they reach the [[age of majority]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Conscrits et recrues |url=http://www.vtg.admin.ch/internet/vtg/fr/home/militaerdienst/rekrut.html |language=fr |publisher=[[Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports]] |access-date=10 July 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090502061315/http://www.vtg.admin.ch/internet/vtg/fr/home/militaerdienst/rekrut.html |archive-date=2 May 2009}}</ref> though women may volunteer for any position.<ref>{{cite web |title=Femmes dans l'armée |url=http://www.vtg.admin.ch/internet/vtg/fr/home/militaerdienst/fda.html |language=fr |publisher=Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports |access-date=10 July 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090502010612/http://www.vtg.admin.ch/internet/vtg/fr/home/militaerdienst/fda.html |archive-date=2 May 2009}}</ref> Since 1996, conscripts who are found to be sufficiently fit for regular military service, but who object for reasons of conscience, can apply for ''[[civilian service]]''; in 2024 this accounted for 27% of conscripts deemed fit for service.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Statistiques du Service civil en 2024 : les admissions stagnent à un niveau élevé et les jours de service accomplis constituent un record |url=https://www.zivi.admin.ch/fr/nsb?id=104628 |website=Bundesamt für Zivildienst}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Le pourcentage d’aptitude au service se maintient aux alentours de 70 % |url=https://www.vtg.admin.ch/fr/le-pourcentage-daptitude-au-service-se-maintient-aux-alentours-de-70-pourcent |website=Defence Sector}}</ref> This service consists of various kinds of social services, such as reconstructing cultural sites, helping the elderly and other activities removed from military connotations. Civilian service lasts 340 days, 50% longer than a soldier's regular army service.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vcampus-armee.ch/imperia/isa/rekr/ziversatz/info/00918/content_f.shtml|title=Ziviler Ersatzdienst|publisher=Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports|language=fr|access-date=10 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080228134838/http://www.vcampus-armee.ch/imperia/isa/rekr/ziversatz/info/00918/content_f.shtml|archive-date=28 February 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>

People determined unfit for service, where fitness is defined as "satisfying physical, intellectual and psychological requirements for military service or civil protection service and being capable of accomplishing these services without harming oneself or others",<ref>{{cite web |title=Définition de l'aptitude au service |url=http://www.vtg.admin.ch/internet/vtg/fr/home/militaerdienst/rekrut/diensttauglichkeit/definition.html |language=fr |publisher=Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports |access-date=10 July 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090502102130/http://www.vtg.admin.ch/internet/vtg/fr/home/militaerdienst/rekrut/diensttauglichkeit/definition.html |archive-date=2 May 2009}}</ref> are exempted from service, but pay 11 installments of a 3% additional annual [[income tax]] until the age of 37 unless they are affected by a [[disability]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Ordonnance sur la taxe d'exemption de l'obligation de servir |url=http://www.admin.ch/ch/f/rs/661_1/index.html |language=fr |publisher=Federal Authorities of the Swiss Confederation |access-date=10 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091114163138/http://www.admin.ch/ch/f/rs/661_1/index.html |archive-date=14 November 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref> Conscripts found to be sufficiently unfit for regular military service, but not for exemption, take part in ''[[civil protection]]'', where they may be called on to assist the police, fire or health departments, as well as natural disaster relief and crowd control during demonstrations or events with large attendance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bevoelkerungsschutz.admin.ch/internet/bs/fr/home/partner/zivilschutz.html|title=Protection civile|publisher=Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports|language=fr|access-date=10 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090430072242/http://www.bevoelkerungsschutz.admin.ch/internet/bs/fr/home/partner/zivilschutz.html|archive-date=30 April 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Almost 20% of all conscripts were found unfit for military or civilian service in 2008; the rate is generally higher in urban cantons such as [[Canton of Zurich|Zurich]] and [[Canton of Geneva|Geneva]] than in rural ones<ref>{{cite web |title=Les chiffres du recrutement en 2008 |url=http://www.vtg.admin.ch/internet/vtg/fr/home/dokumentation/news/newsdetail.24787.nsb.html |language=fr |publisher=Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports |access-date=10 July 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724085052/http://www.vtg.admin.ch/internet/vtg/fr/home/dokumentation/news/newsdetail.24787.nsb.html |archive-date=24 July 2011}}</ref> while in 2014 it was 38%<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-03-03 |title=Jeder vierte Wehrpflichtige untauglich |url=https://www.tagesanzeiger.ch/jeder-vierte-wehrpflichtige-untauglich-609302381192 |access-date=2025-09-10 |website=Tages-Anzeiger |language=de}}</ref> and more recently in 2024 30%.<ref name=":1" /> [[Fifth Switzerland|Swiss citizens living abroad]] are generally exempted from conscription in peacetime.<ref>{{cite web |title=Les Suisses de l'étranger |url=http://www.vtg.admin.ch/internet/vtg/fr/home/militaerdienst/rekrut/wehrpflicht/auslandschweizer.html |language=fr |publisher=Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports |access-date=10 July 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090425064647/http://www.vtg.admin.ch/internet/vtg/fr/home/militaerdienst/rekrut/wehrpflicht/auslandschweizer.html |archive-date=25 April 2009}}</ref> [[Dual citizenship]] does not grant exemption.<ref>{{cite web |title=Doubles-nationaux |url=http://www.vtg.admin.ch/internet/vtg/fr/home/militaerdienst/rekrut/wehrpflicht/doppelb.html |language=fr |publisher=Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports |access-date=10 July 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090426105510/http://www.vtg.admin.ch/internet/vtg/fr/home/militaerdienst/rekrut/wehrpflicht/doppelb.html |archive-date=26 April 2009}}</ref>

On 22 September 2013, a [[Referendums in Switzerland|referendum]] was held that aimed to [[2013 Swiss referendums|abolish conscription]] in Switzerland.<ref>[http://www.parlament.ch/d/wahlen-abstimmungen/volksabstimmungen/volksabstimmungen-2013/abstimmung-2013-09-22/seiten/default.aspx Referendums on 22 September 2013] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306000438/http://www.parlament.ch/d/wahlen-abstimmungen/volksabstimmungen/volksabstimmungen-2013/abstimmung-2013-09-22/seiten/default.aspx |date=6 March 2014}} Swiss Parliament, 28 June 2013. Retrieved, 4 March 2014{{in lang|de}}</ref> With a turnout of 47% on this particular question, over 73% voted against eliminating conscription.

== Structure ==
{{Main|Structure of the Swiss Armed Forces}}
[[File:Thomas Süssli in 2019.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Thomas Süssli]], chief of the Swiss Armed Forces since 2020]]
[[File:Swiss Armed Forces organization 2025.png|thumb|right|Swiss Armed Forces organization 2025 (click to enlarge)]]

In peacetime, the Swiss Armed Forces are led by the [[Chief of the Armed Forces (Switzerland)|Chief of the Armed Forces]] (''Chef der Armee''), who reports to the head of the [[Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport]] and to the [[Swiss Federal Council]] as a whole. The current Chief of the Armed Forces is [[Lieutenant-General]] (''[[Korpskommandant]]'') [[Thomas Süssli]]. Lt-Gen Süssli replaced Lieutenant-General (''Korpskommandant'') [[Philippe Rebord]] on 1 January 2020.

* '''[[Chief of the Armed Forces (Switzerland)|Chief of the Armed Forces]]''', in [[Bern]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Swiss Armed Forces – Organisation and Structure |url=https://www.vtg.admin.ch/en/die-schweizer-armee/gliederung.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925101920/https://www.vtg.admin.ch/en/die-schweizer-armee/gliederung.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 September 2020 |publisher=Swiss Armed Forces |access-date=6 May 2020}}</ref>
**[[File:Joint Operations Command badge.svg|25px]] Joint Operations Command, in Bern<ref>{{cite web |title=Lieutenant General Aldo C. Schellenberg |url=https://www.vtg.admin.ch/en/die-schweizer-armee/hoehere-stabsoffiziere/hso/schellenberg-aldo.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920215710/https://www.vtg.admin.ch/en/die-schweizer-armee/hoehere-stabsoffiziere/hso/schellenberg-aldo.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 September 2020 |publisher=Swiss Armed Forces |access-date=6 May 2020}}</ref>
** [[File:Command Training badge.svg|25px]] Training and Education Command, in Bern
** Armed Forces Command Support Organisation, in Bern
** Armed Forces Logistics Organisation, in Bern
** Armed Forces Staff, in Bern
*** Medical Service, in [[Ittigen]]

In times of crisis or war, the [[Federal Assembly of Switzerland|Federal Assembly]] elects a full [[General (Switzerland)|General]] ([[Comparative military ranks|OF-9]]) as [[Commander-in-Chief]] of the Armed Forces (''Oberbefehlshaber der Armee''). The rank is distinct and particular, as it is associated exclusively with wartime fighting or a national crisis due to war among Switzerland's neighbouring countries.{{r|mcphee19831031}}

{{Location map many | Switzerland
| width = 300
| float = right
| caption = Swiss Army brigades<ref>{{cite web |title=Verordnung über die Strukturen der Armee (VSA) |url=https://www.newsd.admin.ch/newsd/message/attachments/47740.pdf |website=admin.ch |publisher=Der Bundesrat |language=de |date=29 March 2017}}</ref>
| label2 = <small>{{nowrap|[[Aarau|4th Mechanized Bde.]]}}</small>
  | pos2 = left
  | bg2 = white
  | mark2 = Red pog.svg
  | lat2_deg = 47 | lat2_min = 24
  | lon2_deg = 08 | lon2_min = 03
| label3 = <small>{{nowrap|[[Chur|11th Mechanized Bde.]]}}</small>
  | pos3 = right
  | bg3 = white
  | mark3 = Red pog.svg
  | lat3_deg = 47 | lat3_min = 29
  | lon3_deg = 08 | lon3_min = 43
| label6 = <small>{{nowrap|[[Morges|1st Mechanized Bde.]]}}</small>
  | pos6 = right
  | bg6 = white
  | mark6 = Red pog.svg
  | lat6_deg = 46 | lat6_min = 31
  | lon6_deg = 06 | lon6_min = 30
}}
{{Location map many | Switzerland
| width = 300
| float = right
| caption = Swiss Air Force airbases
|label1=|coordinates1=| label3 = <small>[[Alpnach Air Base|Alpnach]]</small>
  | pos3 = right
  | bg3 = white
  | mark3 = Gfi-set01-airport.png
  | mark3size = 12
  | lat3_deg = 46 | lat3_min = 56
  | lon3_deg = 08 | lon3_min = 16
| label4 = <small>[[Locarno Airport|Locarno]]</small>
  | pos4 = right
  | bg4 = white
  | mark4 = Gfi-set01-airport.png
  | mark4size = 12
  | lat4_deg = 46 | lat4_min = 10
  | lon4_deg = 08 | lon4_min = 48
| label5 = <small>[[Emmen Air Base|Emmen]]</small>
  | pos5 = right
  | bg5 = white
  | mark5 = Gfi-set01-airport.png
  | mark5size = 12
  | lat5_deg = 47 | lat5_min = 05
  | lon5_deg = 08 | lon5_min = 18
| label6 = <small>[[Payerne Air Base|Payerne]]</small>
  | pos6 = right
  | bg6 = white
  | mark6 = Gfi-set01-airport.png
  | mark6size = 12
  | lat6_deg = 46 | lat6_min = 49
  | lon6_deg = 06 | lon6_min = 56
| label7 = <small>[[Meiringen Air Base|Meiringen]]</small>
  | pos7 = right
  | bg7 = white
  | mark7 = Gfi-set01-airport.png
  | mark7size = 12
  | lat7_deg = 46 | lat7_min = 44
  | lon7_deg = 08 | lon7_min = 11
}}

[[File:Schweizer Armee Füs Gr.jpg|thumb|Infantry squad and Mowag Piranha during presentation]]
[[File:Pz 87 Leopard - Front 2 - Schweizer Armee - Steel Parade 2006.jpg|thumb|[[Leopard 2A4|Leopard 87]] main battle tanks]]
[[File:Mowag Eagle Aufkl Fz 93.jpg|thumb|[[Mowag Eagle]] Swiss army reconnaissance vehicle]]

== Army ==
Under the "[[Armee 61]]" structure, the Army was organised into [[Field Army Corps 1]], [[Field Army Corps 2|2]], and 4, and Mountain Army Corps 3. This structure was superseded by the "[[Armee 95]]" structure and thereafter the "[[Armee XXI]]" structure.

Since the Army XXI reform in 2004, the basic structure of the Army has been reorganised in the following units: infantry [[brigade]]s (2 and 5); [[mountain infantry]] brigades (9 and 12); [[Armoured warfare|armoured]] brigades (1 and 11). Additionally two large reserve brigades (Infantry Brigade 7 and Mountain Brigade 10) exist. Four territorial divisions link the Army with the cantons by co-ordinating territorial tasks inside their sector and are immediately responsible for the security of their regions, depending only on the decisions of the [[Swiss Federal Council|Federal Council]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Grandes unités |url=http://www.he.admin.ch/internet/heer/fr/home/verbaende.html |language=fr |publisher=Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports |access-date=12 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090502102055/http://www.he.admin.ch/internet/heer/fr/home/verbaende.html |archive-date=2 May 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Air Force ==
{{Main|Swiss Air Force|History of the Swiss Air Force}}
[[File:Axalp Cougar Opening flare launch.jpg|thumb|Cougar Helicopter firing decoy flares]]
[[File:Axalp FA-18C 5.jpg|thumb|F/A-18C flying over the Swiss Alps]]

The [[Swiss Air Force]] has been traditionally a militia-based service, including its pilots, with an inventory of approximately 456 aircraft whose lengthy service lives (many for more than 30 years) overlapped several eras. However, beginning with its separation from the Army in 1996, the Air Force has been downsizing; it now has a strength of approximately 270 fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, and is moving towards a smaller, more professional force.

The primary front-line air-defence fleet consists of 30 [[F/A-18 Hornet]]s (34 aircraft were originally purchased, with three F/A-18D and one F/A-18C lost in crashes) organized into three [[Squadron (aviation)|squadrons]] (11, 17 and 18) along with 53 [[Northrop F-5|F-5 Tiger II]]s (98 F-5E and 12 F-5F originally purchased). In October 2008, the Swiss Hornet fleet reached the 50,000 flight hours milestone.<ref>{{cite web |title=Swiss Hornets reach 50,000 flight hours milestone |url=http://www.milaviapress.com/news/archive/2008.php#48 |date=24 October 2008 |publisher=Military Aviation Publications |access-date=14 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081019024440/http://www.milaviapress.com/news/archive/2008.php#48 |archive-date=19 October 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2017, the Swiss Hornet fleet reached the 100,000 flight hours milestone as well as 20 years of flight operations.

Previously, the [[Swiss Air]] Force did not maintain 24/7 operational readiness status in peacetime, owing to the limited budget and staff available. The Swiss Air Force worked on extending the operational times in 2016, aiming to be maintaining readiness for two armed jet fighters round-the-clock by 2020.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.news.admin.ch/de/nsb?id=59711 |title=Umsetzung des Projekts Luftpolizeidienst 24 steht bevor |trans-title=Implementation of Project Air Policing 24 is Imminent |language=de |website=www.admin.ch |publisher=[[Swiss Federal Council]] |date=1 December 2015 |access-date=19 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816160042/https://www.news.admin.ch/de/nsb?id=59711 |archive-date=16 August 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> On 31 December 2020, the Swiss Air Force gained two operational fighter jets ready to scramble 24/7.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Service de police aérienne 24 h sur 24 |url=https://www.admin.ch/gov/fr/accueil/documentation/communiques.msg-id-81760.html |access-date=2024-01-19 |website=www.admin.ch}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Swiss Air Force finally on call around the clock | website=SWI swissinfo.ch | date=30 December 2020 | url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/politics/swiss-air-force-finally-on-call-around-the-clock/46253116 | access-date=5 February 2024}}</ref>

The difficulty of defending Swiss airspace is illustrated by the [[Swiss Alps|mountainous]] character and the small size of the country; the maximum extension of Switzerland is 348&nbsp;km, a distance that can be flown in a little over 20 minutes by commercial aircraft. Furthermore, Switzerland's policy of neutrality means that they are unlikely to be deployed elsewhere (except for training exercises).

== Intelligence gathering ==
{{See also|Swiss intelligence agencies}}
[[File:Picswiss VS-69-41.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Onyx (interception system)|Onyx]] antennas in [[Leuk]]]]
The Swiss military department maintains the [[Onyx (interception system)|Onyx]] [[List of intelligence gathering disciplines|intelligence gathering]] system, similar to but much smaller than the international [[Echelon (signals intelligence)|Echelon]] system.

The Onyx system was launched in 2000 in order to monitor both civil and military communications, such as [[telephone]], [[fax]] or [[Internet]] traffic carried by [[satellite]]. It was completed in late 2005 and currently consists of three interception sites, all based in Switzerland. In a way similar to Echelon, Onyx uses lists of keywords to filter the intercepted content for information of interest.

On 8 January 2006 the Swiss newspaper ''[[Sonntagsblick]]'' (Sunday edition of the ''[[Blick]]'' newspaper) published a secret report produced by the Swiss government using data intercepted by Onyx.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Carey |first=Henry Frank |date=1 August 2013 |title=The Domestic Politics of Protecting Human Rights in Counter-Terrorism: Poland's, Lithuania's, and Romania's Secret Detention Centers and Other East European Collaboration in Extraordinary Rendition |url=https://doi.org/10.1177/0888325413480176 |journal=East European Politics and Societies |language=en |volume=27|issue=3 |pages=429–465 |doi=10.1177/0888325413480176 |s2cid=147436044 |issn=0888-3254|url-access=subscription }}</ref> The report described a [[fax]] sent by the [[Egypt]]ian department of Foreign Affairs to the Egyptian [[Embassy]] in [[London]], and described the existence of secret detention facilities ([[black sites]]) run by the [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] in [[Central Europe|Central]] and [[Eastern Europe]]. The Swiss government did not officially confirm the existence of the report, but started a judiciary procedure for leakage of secret documents against the newspaper on 9 January 2006.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Investigations against SonntagsBlick|url=http://www.blick.ch/news/ausland/folterfluege/artikel30493 |date=1 October 2006 |access-date=21 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060111070821/http://www.blick.ch/news/ausland/folterfluege/artikel30493 |archive-date=11 January 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Lakes flotilla ==
{{Redirect|Swiss Navy|the Swiss Merchant Navy|Merchant Marine of Switzerland}}

The maritime branch of the Army maintains a [[flotilla]] of military [[patrol boat]]s to secure several sizeable lakes that span Switzerland's borders. These boats also serve in a [[search and rescue]] role.

During the Second World War, Switzerland fielded the [[Type 41 class patrol boat|Type 41 class]] of patrol boats, armed with the 24&nbsp;mm Type 41 [[anti-tank rifle]]—not a personal weapon at {{convert|74|kg|lb|abbr=on}},<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sadefensejournal.com/wp/the-swiss-armys-first-mass-anti-tank-rifle-the-tankbuchse-tb-41-24mm/ |title=The Swiss Army's First Mass Anti-Tank Rifle The Tankbüchse (Tb) 41 24mm|website=Small Arms Defense Journal|date=17 September 2019|author=Tom Murphy|access-date=28 February 2022|archive-date=28 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228213929/http://www.sadefensejournal.com/wp/the-swiss-armys-first-mass-anti-tank-rifle-the-tankbuchse-tb-41-24mm/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> and later replaced by a 20mm auto-cannon—and machine guns. Nine units were commissioned between 1941-44. These boats were upgraded in 1964, notably receiving radars, radios, and modern armament and were kept in service into the 1980s, the last being decommissioned in late 1983.<ref>Information note of ''Spiez'' at the [[Swiss Museum of Transport]]</ref>

The force currently utilize the ''Aquarius''-class (''Patrouillenboot'' 80) riverine patrol boats, which are operated by Motorboat Company 10 of the Corps of Engineers which patrol lakes [[Lake Geneva|Geneva]], [[Lake Lucerne|Lucerne]], [[Lake Lugano|Lugano]], [[Lake Maggiore|Maggiore]] and [[Lake Constance|Constance]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Lehrverband Genie/Rettung – Truppen |url=http://www.he.admin.ch/internet/heer/de/home/heer/unsere_organisation/lvbgenie/Truppen.html |publisher=Swiss Land Forces |access-date=19 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090501222449/http://www.he.admin.ch/internet/heer/de/home/heer/unsere_organisation/lvbgenie/Truppen.html |archive-date=1 May 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In June 2019, Finnish shipbuilder [[Marine Alutech]] delivered the first four of 14 ''Patrouillenboot'' 16, the ''Patrouillenboot'' 80's successor, to the flotilla, and these boats's manufacturer designation as Watercat 1250 Patrol;<ref>{{cite web |title=Swiss Navy tauft ihre neuen Kriegsschiffe |url=https://www.20min.ch/schweiz/tessin/story/Swiss-Navy-tauft-ihre-neuen-Kriegsschiffe-25383737 |date=17 June 2019 |language=de |publisher=20 Minuten |access-date=3 January 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200118155129/https://www.20min.ch/schweiz/zentralschweiz/story/Schweizer-Armee-tauft-ihre-neuen-Kriegsschiffe-25383737 |archive-date=18 January 2020}}</ref> all ships of this class will be named for [[astronomical object]]s.<gallery>
File:Spiez-IMG 8698.JPG|The ''Spiez'', a [[Type 41 class patrol boat|Type 41]] patrol boat, on display at the [[Swiss Museum of Transport]]
File:Patrouillenboot 80 - Schweizer Armee - Steel Parade 2006.jpg|''Aquarius''-class patrol boat, [[Type 80 class patrol boat|Type 80]]
File:16 M+1041 Pollux Lago Maggiore 190622.jpg|''Patrouillenboot 16''-class patrol boat.
</gallery>

==Roles==
The prime role of the Swiss Armed Forces is homeland defence. Switzerland is not part of any multinational war-fighting structure, but selected armed forces members and units do take part in international missions.

===Military and civil defence===

After World War II, Switzerland began building homes with 40&nbsp;cm-thick concrete ceilings that might survive [[firebombing]] of the type that destroyed [[Bombing of Hamburg in World War II|Hamburg]] and [[Bombing of Dresden in World War II|Dresden]]. In the 1960s, construction began on [[fallout shelter|radiation and blast shelters]] that could survive one to three [[bar (unit)|bar]]s (100–300&nbsp;kPa) of pressure from a nuclear explosion.<ref name="mcphee19831107">{{cite news | url=http://archives.newyorker.com/?i=1983-11-07#folio=054 | title=La Place de la Concorde Suisse-II | magazine=The New Yorker | date=7 November 1983 | access-date=22 July 2013 | author=McPhee, John | pages=55 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109094217/http://archives.newyorker.com/?i=1983-11-07#folio=054 | archive-date=9 November 2013 | url-status=live}}</ref> Building codes require blast shelters, which are said to be able to accommodate 114% of the Swiss population.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bunkers for all |url=http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss_news/Bunkers_for_all.html?siteSect=201&sid=10906783&rss=true&ty=st |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120912192853/http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss_news/Bunkers_for_all.html?siteSect=201&sid=10906783&rss=true&ty=st |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 September 2012 |date=3 July 2009 |publisher=[[swissinfo]] |access-date=13 July 2009}}</ref> Small towns have large underground parking garages that can serve as sealed community shelters.{{r|mcphee19831107}} There are also hospitals and command centres in such shelters, aimed at keeping the country running in case of emergencies. Every family or rental agency has to pay a replacement tax to support these shelters, or alternatively own a personal shelter in their place of residence;<ref>Imogen Foulkes. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/6347519.stm Swiss still braced for nuclear war] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070213071207/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/6347519.stm |date=13 February 2007}}. BBC News, 10 February 2007.</ref> many private shelters serve as [[wine cellar]]s and closets.{{r|mcphee19831107}}

[[File:Turmkanone-1-fuchsegg.jpg|thumb|Camouflaged cannons and fortifications near [[Furka Pass]] in the Gotthard region]]
Thousands of tunnels, highways, railroads, and bridges are built with [[tank trap]]s and primed with [[demolition]] [[Explosive material|charges]] to be used against invading forces; often, the civilian engineer who designed the bridge also plans the demolition as a military officer. Hidden guns are aimed to prevent enemy forces from attempting to rebuild.{{r|mcphee19831031}} Permanent fortifications were established in the [[Swiss Alps|Alps]], as bases from which to retake the fertile valleys after a potential invasion. They include underground air bases that are adjacent to normal runways; the aircraft, crew and supporting material are housed in the caverns.

However, a significant part of these fortifications was dismantled between the 1980s and during the "Army 95" reformation. The most important fortifications are located at [[Fortress Saint-Maurice|Saint-Maurice]], [[St. Gotthard Pass|Gotthard Pass]] area and [[Sargans]]. The fortification on the west side of the [[Rhône]] at Saint-Maurice has not been used by the army since the beginning of the 1990s. The east side (Savatan) is still in use.

During the Cold War the military expected that any invasion would likely come from the northeast, as the Soviet Union associated the country with NATO despite its stated neutrality.{{r|mcphee19831031}} The Swiss government thought that the aim of an invasion would be to control the economically important transport routes through the [[Swiss Alps]], namely the [[St. Gotthard Pass|Gotthard]], the [[Simplon Pass|Simplon]] and [[Great St. Bernard]] passes, because Switzerland does not possess any significant natural resources.

===Peacekeeping overseas===
[[File:Cougar AS532 T 334 Swiss Air Force Rescue Exercise.jpg|thumb|Cougar AS532 T-334 during a Swiss Air Force rescue exercise]]

Operating from a [[neutral country]], Switzerland's Armed Forces do not take part in armed conflicts in other countries. However, over the years, the Swiss Armed Forces have been part of several peacekeeping missions around the world.

From 1996 to 2001, the Swiss Armed Forces were present in [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]] with headquarters in [[Sarajevo]]. Their mission, as part of the Swiss Peacekeeping Missions, was to provide logistic and medical support to the [[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe]] (OSCE), protection duties and humanitarian demining. The mission was named SHQSU, standing for Swiss Headquarters Support Unit to BiH. It was composed of 50 to 55 elite Swiss soldiers under contract for six to 12 months. None of the active soldiers were armed during the duration of the mission. The Swiss soldiers were recognised among the other armies present on the field by their distinctive yellow beret. The SHQSU is not the same as the more publicized [[Swisscoy]], which is the Swiss Army Mission to Kosovo.

In its first military deployment since 1815, Switzerland deployed 31 soldiers to Afghanistan in 2003, and two Swiss officers had worked with German troops. Swiss forces were withdrawn in February 2008.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/switzerland-ends-military-mission-in-afghanistan/6457084 | title=Switzerland ends military mission in Afghanistan | date=23 February 2008 }}</ref>

Switzerland is part of the [[Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission]] (NNSC), which was created to monitor the armistice between [[North Korea|North]] and [[South Korea]]. Since the responsibilities of the NNSC have been much reduced over the past few years, only five people are still part of the Swiss delegation, which is located near the [[Korean DMZ]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vtg.admin.ch/internet/vtg/en/home/themen/einsaetze/peace/korea.html|title=Swiss participation to the mission NNSC in Korea|publisher=Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604050802/http://www.vtg.admin.ch/internet/vtg/en/home/themen/einsaetze/peace/korea.html|archive-date=4 June 2016|url-status=dead|access-date=12 July 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/search/detail/Swiss_keep_watch_over_fragile_peace.html?siteSect=881&sid=1891533&cKey=1053346440000|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203103811/https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/search/detail/Swiss_keep_watch_over_fragile_peace.html?siteSect=881&sid=1891533&cKey=1053346440000|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 December 2024|title=Swiss keep watch over fragile peace|date=19 May 2003|publisher=swissinfo|access-date=12 July 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://swissthomas.ch/nnsc-korea-1980-81/ |title=Photogallery: NNSC Korea|publisher=Photogallery Thomas Mäder|access-date=12 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090402233514/http://www.swiss-maeder.ch/photo4.htm |archive-date=2 April 2009|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Equipment==
{{main|List of equipment of the Swiss Armed Forces|List of aircraft of the Swiss Air Force|Swiss Air Force#Equipment and designations}}

==Logos==
<gallery>
 Logo of Swiss Armed Forces.svg|Old logo<!--until?-->
 Armee CH logo.svg|Quadrilingual logo until 2023
 Swiss army logo 2023 DFIR.svg|Quadrilingual logo since 2023
 Swiss army logo 2023 claim de.svg|German-language logo since 2023
 Swiss army logo 2023 claim fr.svg|French-language logo since 2023
 Swiss army logo 2023 claim it.svg|Italian-language logo since 2023
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[Military ranks of the Swiss Armed Forces]]
*[[Swiss Guard]]
*[[National Redoubt (Switzerland)]]
*[[Militia System]]
*[[Civil protection in Switzerland]]

== References==
{{Reflist}}

== Notes==
{{notelist}}

==Bibliography==
* [[John McPhee]], ''La Place de la Concorde Suisse'', New York: Noonday Press (Farrar, Straus & Giroux), 1984.
*Field Army Corps 1, ''Sécurité au seuil du XXIe siècle: Histoire et vie du Corps d'Armée de Campagne 1'', c.2000. {{ISBN|2-9700264-0-6}}.
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060516084706/https://www.hka.vbs.admin.ch/internet/hka/de/home/berufsunteroffiziersschule/downloads/sprachen.Par.0007.DownloadFile.tmp/04MV.pdf MILVOC], German-English Dictionary of military terms from the Swiss Armed Forces

==External links==
{{Wikisource1911Enc|Switzerland/Army}}
{{Commons category|Military of Switzerland}}
* [https://www.vtg.admin.ch/ vtg.admin.ch—Swiss Armed Forces{{snd}}Official website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191029235924/https://www.vtg.admin.ch/ |date=29 October 2019}}
* [https://www.armee.ch/ armee.ch—Swiss Armed Forces{{snd}}Official website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050810011805/http://www.stephenhalbrook.com/switzerland.html Articles, books and media by Stephen P. Halbrook]
* Clip 15 Minutes with the Swiss Armed Forces [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bBDFt8nivc&list=UUgHPYFGpKDl9alTTm3N6kCg&index=6]
* [https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NFvaOeZUIHo Virginia International Tattoo: Swiss Army Central Band]

{{Switzerland topics}}
{{Military of Switzerland}}
{{Military of Europe}}
{{Armies in Europe}}
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