Swiss Armed Forces

At its meeting on 18 February, the Federal Council adopted a dispatch to Parliament that provides for a temporary increase in Switzerland's contribution: in 2027, an additional 12 armed military personnel will be deployed to the multinational European Union Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina (EUFOR ALTHEA). They will assist with transport tasks and staff work. Against the backdrop of political crises in the country, the EUFOR ALTHEA mission plays a key role in stabilisation. Switzerland's contribution will allow it to support the EU's stabilisation efforts in a region that is important to Switzerland. The deployment of armed personnel must now be approved by Parliament.

The Federal Council wants to further enhance protection against airborne threats. At its meeting on 11 February, it decided to enter into negotiations to extend or conclude new international agreements on the exchange of air situation data. This will enable Switzerland to receive timely warnings of potential threats – even before they reach its own airspace – and so gain valuable advance warning time for the population and the Armed Forces.

At its meeting on 28 January, the Federal Council approved the deployment of the Armed Forces in a supporting role to assist the civilian authorities with security measures during the G7 summit to be held in Évian-les-Bains, France, from 15 to 17 June. This deployment, which is subsidiary in nature, complements the security measures put in place by the civilian authorities. Parliament will vote on the deployment at its next session in March.

On 14 and 15 January 2026, the Federal Office for Defence Procurement armasuisse held a workshop on technologies for military deception together with the NATO Science and Technology Organisation (STO). More than 90 national and international experts from science, industry and defence discussed the current technological status as well as future challenges.

National Armaments Director Urs Loher will meet with the Danish Armaments Director Lieutenant-General Kim J. Jørgensen for bilateral talks from 15 to 16 January 2026 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The exchange will focus on current security and arms policy topics as well as possible cooperations in the armaments area. In addition, the bilateral agreement on the mutual recognition of official quality controls between Switzerland and Denmark will be signed.