For the first time in more than twenty years: Swiss soldiers will train abroad next year

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The last time the Swiss army held an exercise abroad was in 2003. But it should happen again soon. Thomas Süssli (57) confirms similar plans to SRF.

“If you want to defend yourself, you have to train for it,” said the corps commander. At the battalion level, you want to practice “combined arms combat.” However, because there are no weapons sites of the corresponding size in built-up areas in Switzerland, one has to move abroad.

Only volunteers come abroad

We are talking about the Allentsteig military training area in Lower Austria. Swiss soldiers trained there with their German and Austrian colleagues in case of an emergency in the 1990s. They are expected to return as early as 2025.

The army wants to deploy approximately 1,000 soldiers for the exercise. However, Swiss law prohibits her from requiring family members to take refresher courses abroad. This means that Süssli will have to rely on volunteers. According to the army chief, a corresponding call to the troops will be received soon.

The fact that the Swiss army does not have a sufficiently large training area is a known problem. Only recently did Parliament and the Federal Council speak out in favor of setting up a corresponding training center in Switzerland.

The financing has already been taken into account in the budget

According to its own information, the army needs a stretch of road of one to two kilometers for the infantry to be able to adequately practice fighting in built-up areas. To achieve this, they want to expand the weapons range of Bure JU or Walenstadt SG. A third option would be to build a new facility in a mountain valley.

When asked about financing, Thomas Süssli refers to the investment budget of the Swiss army. “There is also a part intended for training.” (obf)

Source: Blick