Swiss Soldiers for Military Exercise in Austria

The Allentsteig training ground offers the Austrian Armed Forces an advantage over the Swiss Army, explained General Christoph Roduner of the Confederation to journalists in Thun (Canton of Bern) on Tuesday. There is a training area of 150 square kilometers where live ammunition can also be used. Such opportunities are not available at the Swiss Army's training grounds.

Almost 1,000 Swiss Soldiers Train in Trinational Exercise in Austria with Bundeswehr and Austrian Armed Forces

The 950 Swiss soldiers would train together with 150 members of the Austrian Armed Forces and 140 members of the Bundeswehr. The Swiss Army is testing its "Future of Ground Forces" concept and aims to gain insights to strengthen defense capabilities. They want to learn from cooperation with armies of other countries, explained Swiss Army Commander Benedikt Roos. The last comparable joint exercise took place in the 1990s, and more are planned for the next two to three years, according to Roos.

According to the Austrian Armed Forces, the exercise takes place from April 14 to May 9. The first week of the exercise is intended for deployment, the last for reintegration and return transport. Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner (ÖVP) emphasized in a statement over the weekend that multinational exercises are "an enormous enrichment" for all involved. In Allentsteig, they have "the necessary space to practice robust scenarios." Tanner mentioned 200 Austrian soldiers participating in the exercise. It is another highlight for capability expansion and achieving further synergy effects with the troops from Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. She emphasized the intensive cooperation with the neutral neighboring country. There are 150 projects with Switzerland, regulated in 13 bilateral agreements. Austrian troops also regularly train on training grounds in Germany, for example, in preparation for international missions.

Five Days and Nights of Fighting and Live Firing

The actual exercise takes place in the week after next (from April 28) for five days and nights. A scenario is practiced in which a cross-border threat with conflicts below and above the threshold of war abroad has spread to Switzerland. The aim is to regain vital infrastructures for society, some of which are located in built-up areas and have been partially taken over by the opposing side. Both the attacking and defending units will consist of soldiers from all three participating nations. This is intended to strengthen cooperation capabilities. According to Swiss General Roduner, new technologies such as drones are also a focus.

(APA/Red)

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