Military

Defense

Pentagon 'Blocks' Critical F-35 Report Amid Swiss Purchase Concerns

The US Pentagon has prevented the public release of a critical Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on the F-35 fighter jet, an aircraft Switzerland has ordered, fueling speculation about a cover-up of production and modernization problems.

SWI swissinfo.ch

Military

Swiss Army Super Pumas Deployed to Fight Wildfires in Corsica

In a display of international cooperation, three Swiss Army Super Puma helicopters have been dispatched from Ticino to assist in combating fierce forest fires on the French island of Corsica. The mission involves a 22-person team of specialists and marks another instance of the army's rapid response operations abroad.

SWI swissinfo.ch

Military

Swiss Army's M113 Armoured Fleet Partially Returns to Service

Following a driving ban imposed in mid-February, dozens of the Swiss army's M113 armoured personnel carriers are once again roadworthy. An army spokesperson confirmed that training can resume, with the complete refurbishment of the fleet expected to be finished by the third quarter of 2027.

SWI swissinfo.ch

Politics

In a move to enhance cost-effectiveness and efficiency, Switzerland and Austria have agreed to cooperate on the procurement of military equipment. Defence ministers from both neutral countries emphasized the benefits for acquiring modern systems, particularly in air defense, while ruling out deeper military integration.

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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.

SWI swissinfo.ch

Defence

Amid calls for national unity from the defence minister, Switzerland has advanced its military overhaul by making a CHF500 million payment for US F-35 jets and is concurrently exploring new air defence systems with France, Israel, and South Korea, even as the government scales back a proposed tax hike for funding.

The Local Switzerland · +3 more

Politics

Following public consultation, the Swiss Federal Council has scaled back its proposal to fund increased defense spending, reducing a planned value-added tax (VAT) increase from 0.8 to 0.5 percentage points.

Le News

Politics

The Swiss government is moving to significantly bolster national security, proposing a 0.5% VAT hike to fund increased military spending and backing a plan to merge civil defence and civilian service, making security-related service compulsory for all male conscripts. This two-pronged approach addresses both financial needs and personnel shortages in the armed forces and disaster response units.

SWI swissinfo.ch · +1 more

Politics

The Swiss government is reorienting its armed forces to focus more strongly on defense capabilities, particularly against hybrid threats. As part of this strategic shift, Switzerland will also station a new defence attaché in Warsaw, Poland, from mid-2027 to improve early threat assessment in northeastern Europe.

SWI swissinfo.ch · +1 more

Referendum

In a recent national referendum, Swiss voters narrowly approved a measure to tighten the regulations for young men opting for civilian service as an alternative to compulsory military duty. The result is expected to make it more difficult to claim conscientious objection.

The Local Switzerland · +1 more

Parliament

The Swiss parliament has made two key decisions reinforcing its international role, approving an increase in soldiers for the peacekeeping mission in Kosovo and allocating CHF58.3 million for participation in EU research programmes like Horizon Europe.

SWI swissinfo.ch · +1 more

Defense

With the delivery of US Patriot systems delayed by at least five years, a top Swiss security official has highlighted the Franco-Italian SAMP/T system as a key alternative, signalling a potential strategic shift towards European interoperability.

SWI swissinfo.ch

Military

In a move to strengthen digital defense capabilities, the Swiss Armed Forces are participating in a three-week NATO exercise in Poland, focusing on secure communication and tactical networking with experts from 40 other nations.

SWI swissinfo.ch

Defence

The Swiss armed forces have placed an order with German manufacturer KNDS for a new artillery system to replace its aging M109 howitzers, with deliveries of the modern, faster, and more automated platform expected to begin in 2031.

SWI swissinfo.ch

Security

The Swiss military will deploy nearly 4,000 soldiers to support civilian authorities in the cantons of Geneva, Vaud, and Valais, bolstering security for the upcoming G7 Summit in Evian, France. The mission includes protecting key infrastructure like Geneva Airport.

SWI swissinfo.ch · +1 more

Legislation

The Swiss parliament has decisively voted in favor of a motion that would end the ability of male Franco-Swiss dual nationals to avoid compulsory Swiss military service, aligning their obligations with other citizens.

Le News

Politics

The Swiss Army will deploy nearly 4,000 soldiers to support civilian authorities in Geneva, Vaud, and Valais for the G7 Summit. Meanwhile, the 'No G7' protest coalition has lost its legal challenges in Geneva courts, which upheld restrictions on demonstrations.

SWI swissinfo.ch · +1 more

Environment

The major project to clear a World War II ammunition depot in Mitholz, Bernese Oberland, has been delayed by two years to 2047. The setback is due to unexpectedly high levels of contaminated material, which complicates the excavation and treatment process and extends the required evacuation period for local residents.

SWI swissinfo.ch

Defense

A major milestone in Switzerland's multi-billion franc defense procurement has been reached as assembly begins on the first F-35 fighter jet at a Lockheed Martin plant in the United States, with pilot training on the new aircraft scheduled for 2027.

SWI swissinfo.ch