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SWISS ARMY

Police find explosives in Emmental village

Police are continuing an investigation after discovering a cache of firearms, munitions and explosives in a small village in the Emmental region of the canton of Bern.

Published: 17 August 2012 10:17 CEST

Cantonal police uncovered the arms on Thursday during the search of an apartment in Ramsei, part of the municipality of Lützelflüh.

The dawn raid occurred after a tenant of the apartment was arrested in connection with a narcotics case, according to a report from SDA, the Swiss news agency.

The man was released after questioning.

The regional prosecutor for the Bern-Mittelland region authorized the search, police said.

Details about the number and nature of the weapons seized have not been divulged, but authorities put extensive security measures into place after the search.

The village’s main road was closed.

Fire fighters from Lützelflüh and Bern arrived on the scene, in addition to personnel specialized in dealing with dangerous chemicals.

Explosives experts were called in to transport the weapons to a secure place.

Soldiers from the Swiss army also helped out.

The incident occurred in an unlikely location, a rural region known for its famous cheese.

Investigators are seeking more information in the case.

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SWISS ARMY

Women in Swiss military no longer forced to wear men’s underwear

Switzerland in April will start a pilot project which allows female service members to wear women’s underwear. 

Published: 30 March 2021 11:50 CEST
Women in Swiss military no longer forced to wear men’s underwear

Currently, all soldiers in Switzerland are provided with the same standard issue military clothing – which means men’s underwear for all, regardless of gender. 

Defense Minister Viola Amherd, long an advocate of boosting the presence of women in the Swiss army, has welcomed the change. 

Marianne Binder, a member of Switzerland’s National Council who has been pushing for the change, said the change will make the army more attractive to women.

“The clothing is designed for men, but if the army is really to become more feminine, appropriate measures are needed,” she said.

She said a test phase will begin in April.

While underwear may only be one of many factors, female representation in the Swiss military lags behind other European countries. 

Only one percent of the military in Switzerland is made up of women, compared to 18 percent in Sweden, 15 percent in France and 12 percent in Germany and Norway. 

Armasuisse spokesman Kaj-Gunnar Sievert, told Swiss news outlet Watson that “the two specific functional underwear for women – short underwear (summer) and long underwear (winter) – will be tested in April.”

Sievert said the current Swiss army uniform rules have been in place since the 1980s. 

“The old generation of uniforms was not geared enough to the specific needs of women,” said Sievert.

“Against this background, the procurement of the latest equipment is just as important for women as it is for men.”

Results of the test phase will become available in May. 

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