Almost 13 million francs: the army caused slightly less damage than the year before

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The army has left its mark. The through road in Münsingen BE was only recently renovated. However, after the military exercise “Pilum 22” last November, the curbs were damaged again. Tanks had left deep grooves in the asphalt. The street looked badly battered.

And yet: the Swiss army caused slightly less damage in 2022 than in the previous year and on average over the last five years. The Damage Center of Defense (VBS) pays compensation for 6739 cases. Costs of almost 13 million Swiss francs were also reduced.

Here, too, the pandemic had consequences

Compared to last year, there were 424 fewer claims, the DDPS announced on Thursday. The average decrease over five years is 264 cases. In the pandemic year 2020, the number was exceptionally low with 5710 claims.

The claims settlement cost 12.99 million Swiss francs last year. Compared to last year, this corresponds to a decrease of CHF 2.5 million and a five-year average of CHF 824,000.

Damage to army vehicles (CHF 9.36 million) and third-party vehicles (CHF 1.37 million) had the greatest impact. The claim center paid 1.64 million Swiss francs for damage to land and property by the army. Injuries to civilians cost 650,000 francs. On the income side, there were recourse and damages of 590,000 francs.

“Pilum” damage only in the following statement

Last November’s “Pilum” maneuver, the largest since 1989, cost the damage center CHF 184,000. About 5,000 members of the army practiced ground forces interaction in the cantons of Bern, Solothurn, Aargau, Lucerne and Zurich for eight days.

There were many tank movements. Streets and squares in particular suffered damage. The center settled most of these losses in the spring. That is why they only appear in the 2023 statement.

The federal government is confident. He bears the risk of damage himself. The damage center DDPS regulates accidents and material damage to federal government vehicles, army vehicles and third-party damage to the army. (SDA/dba)

Source:Blick