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The Swiss army will start a large-scale exercise in the cantons of Geneva, Vaud, Neuchâtel and Bern on Monday. About 4,000 soldiers are being mobilized for this purpose. Within the framework of “Lux 23”, a subordinate mission in favor of the civil authorities and the preparation of a defense operation is practiced.
The aim of the exercise is to cooperate with the partners in the Swiss security network, according to the Federal Ministry of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS). Surveillance of the border and critical infrastructures are also central to the exercise facility. Concrete examples are Geneva airport or the refinery in Cressier NE. The exercise will last until May 9.
Scenario: Armed militias threaten Switzerland
The troops of Territorial Division 1 will be reinforced during the exercise by air defense units, among others. There are also members of the special forces command, the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (BAZF), the police force and the French army.
“Lux 23” is based on a scenario of armed separatist militias from a fictional region of Europe threatening Switzerland. Given the risk of riots and attacks on vital infrastructure, the army is being mobilized across the country, the Swiss army announced in the run-up to the exercise.
Another goal is to test a new category of emergency services – the so-called “light forces”. In the future, these should be able to quickly support the civil authorities in their tasks.
No reaction to the war in Ukraine
On its website, the Swiss military states that the threat level in the country is “low but not non-existent”. It is therefore important “to train regularly to maintain a high level of proficiency, including for defense against armed attack”.
“Lux 23” was planned for several years and is not a direct response to the war in Ukraine, it said. “Developments in the security situation in Europe only confirm the relevance of this exercise.” Nothing is known about the cost of the exercise. However, the army stressed that “Lux 23” cost no more than if the 23 different troop bodies had separately completed their refresher training.
Only last November, the army carried out a major exercise in various cantons with “Pilum 22”. As then, “Lux 23” also led to the movement of tanks and trucks and helicopter flights on Lake Geneva and Neuchâtel, the defense group said.
The impairments would be limited to the minimum necessary to conduct the exercise, it said. A hotline (0800 780 001) for the population was set up on 24 April. (SDA/sf)
Source:Blick
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