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Could Switzerland defend itself against invasion?

There is no imminent threat of the war between Russia and Ukraine impacting Switzerland militarily. But Swiss MPs and the government are nevertheless concerned about the country’s safety amid rising tensions across Europe and the globe.

Published: 7 March 2022 16:16 CET
Updated: 21 March 2022 14:14 CET
Could Switzerland defend itself against invasion?
Could the Swiss army defend Switzerland in case of attack? Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP

Switzerland is a small, neutral country that has not been attacked by a foreign power since Napoleon came to call in 1798 – the last time Switzerland took part in a war – and it wasn’t invaded by Germany in WWII.

However, the war in Ukraine has revived the debate around defence, the Swiss military and the equipment available to the army: weapons that go far beyond the Swiss army knife — useful mostly in civilian life but so much in combat.

Both chambers of parliament — the Council of States and National Council — will hold an urgent debate on the war in Ukraine on March 15th and 16th, in particular on its impact on Switzerland’s security policy in a highly unlikely event that the conflict spreads westward.

The issue of readiness is also a hot-button topic within the Defence Ministry.

In the event Switzerland were threatened by the indirect effects of an international conflict – such as a cyberattack or the abusive use of airspace – “we must be prepared for all risks”, Defence Minister Viola Amherd said in an interview with SonnatgsZeitung.

This concern is tied to many changes that Swiss military has undergone in recent decades.

During WWII, the country was ready for combat, with every soldier armed and able to fight his way to his regiment’s assembly point at a moment’s notice.

Also, the military reportedly booby-trapped all tunnels, bridges and viaducts, and were ready to detonate the explosives if Germany dared to invade.

The readiness, and armed population, continued during the Cold War years, but the “gun in every closet” tradition was challenged in 2001, after a disgruntled citizen opened fire with his army rifle inside a regional parliament in Zug, killing 14 and injuring 14 others.

EXPLAINED: Understanding Switzerland’s obsession with guns

The subsequent opposition to widespread gun ownership spearheaded a successful push for stricter arms legislation. 

Then, in 2010, Switzerland scrapped much of its military equipment as it dramatically downsized the armed forces, along with military spending — a trend that had continued in following years.

Even private homes with obligatory fallout shelters to be used in case of an attack were gradually phased out in favour of communal facilities.

READ MORE: Reader question: Where is my nearest nuclear shelter in Switzerland?

Calls for better preparedness

Amherd added that she is in favour of increasing military budget by two billion francs to allow the renewal of the air force —the F/A-18s currently in use will be decommissioned by 2030 — as well as to re-equip ground troops.

Although in 2021 Switzerland’s government backed the purchase of 36 F-35A fighter jets from the US to replace the  country’s current ageing fleet, the decision has sparked public criticism and is still under debate.

Aging Air Force fleet. Photo by JOE KLAMAR / AFP

Meanwhile, MPs from two parties — Swiss People’s Party (SVP) and the Liberals (PLR) — are also calling for an increase in military spending.

SVP deputy Werner Salzmann, who is also the chairman of the Commission for Security Policy, explained that the army has to buy bulletproof vests for all soldiers and equip the current fighter jets to make them suitable for ground combat. He also supports reactivating decommissioned tanks. PLR’s Thierry Burkart is asking for more heavy weapons and combat tanks.

However, there is no way to know for sure whether the current equipment and 147,510 troops (including 102,715 rank and file soldiers) could defend Switzerland from attack. That’s because Switzerland has no previous experience in modern times of armed conflict.

Could Switzerland join NATO?

If Switzerland were a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, it would have help of 30 other countries in the alliance in defending itself in case of attack.

However, as a neutral country, Switzerland can’t join a military alliance and risk being involved in an armed conflict.

READ MORE: EXPLAINED: Why isn’t Switzerland in NATO?

“As a sovereign and neutral country, we must first and foremost be able to protect ourselves”, Amherd said.

Some experts, however, are calling on the government to reconsider its position.  Stefan Holenstein, president of the National Conference of Military Organisations, said that “armed neutrality is certainly part of Switzerland’s identity, but joining NATO could be advantageous for Switzerland’s security”.

In any case, the country couldn’t join the alliance even if the government were for it. The issue would be put to a referendum. 

READ MORE: EXPLAINED: Why is Switzerland always neutral?

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READER QUESTIONS

Do foreigners have to do military service in Switzerland?

Swiss authorities want foreign nationals who live in the country to be well integrated. But does this mean they have to serve in the armed forces?

Published: 4 May 2023 15:36 CEST
Updated: 27 May 2024 17:11 CEST
Do foreigners have to do military service in Switzerland?

Even though it has never been tested in battle, the military has a long tradition in neutral Switzerland, stretching far beyond the army knives.

All able-bodied Swiss men from the age of 18 until 30 are required to serve in the armed forces or in its alternative, the civilian service. 

The way it works is that all Swiss men receive a summons the year they turn 18 to attend an information day on basic training and the military service.

According to the official government site, “on this day, conscripts decide when they will be doing their basic training”.

They must be recruited at the earliest the year they turn 19 and at the latest the year they turn 24.

“The recruitment process takes two to three days. A doctor determines whether you are fit to serve in the military. Those who are found fit to serve go on to attend an assignment interview based on which they are assigned the function they will be trained in at basic training.”

Afterwards, soldiers must attend six three-week refresher courses for nine years; on the 10th year, they are discharged from military duty.

This is mandatory for all Swiss men, unless they have been deemed unfit to serve because of health or other issues.

The key word here is ‘Swiss’ — so does this mean that foreigners are exempted from this duty?

The answer is ‘yes’, they are exempted — but there are nuances.

Who exactly is ‘Swiss’, anyway?

If you have been living in Switzerland and following ongoing debates about foreigners and naturalisations, then you know this issue is not only complex, but that it also sometimes causes confusion.

For instance, if you have immigrated to Switzerland but have since been naturalised, then you are considered Swiss and, therefore, must serve in the military — even though you may retain your former nationality as well.

A Swiss flag

Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP

READ ALSO: Do naturalised Swiss citizens have to do military service?

There is, however, one exception: the obligation to serve will be waved if you are a dual citizen and  can show proof that you have fulfilled your military duties in your other home country.

This obviously applies only if you are of ‘military age’ (as mentioned above); if you are over 30, then you are exempted.

On the other hand, the military obligation doesn’t apply to young men who were born in and have always lived in Switzerland, but who don’t have a Swiss citizenship.

These are the so-called second and third-generation ‘foreigners’.

Unlike many other countries, being born in Switzerland doesn’t automatically mean the person is Swiss.

If their parents were born abroad and still hold foreign passports, a person will not obtain Swiss citizenship at birth. 

Even though they were born in Switzerland and may consider themselves to be Swiss, they have the same nationality as their parents and will continue to be considered as foreigners – until and unless they become naturalised.

READ ALSO: Why so few third-generation Swiss are actually ‘Swiss’?

So an obvious paradox here is that people born abroad but who are naturalised serve in the Swiss military, while those born in Switzerland but who still hold foreign passports don’t.

In the eyes of the law, the former are more ‘Swiss’ than the latter.

What about foreign women?

There isn’t compulsory conscription for women, either Swiss or foreign, but they can choose to join, provided they are, like their male counterparts, Swiss citizens.

In fact, in order to make military service more appealing to women, the army has created underwear intended especially for female members of the armed forces; before this ‘invention,’ they were forced to wear the same undies as men — good for equal rights but not so good for comfort.

Do the same rules pertain to the civilian service?

This alternative to compulsory military service is an option for those who must perform military service but have a ‘conflict of conscience’. 

It, too, is for Swiss citizens only.

However, according to the Federal Office for Civil Protection, foreign nationals living in Switzerland can volunteer their services.

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