Executive Summary

On February 11, 2026, the Federal Council approved the training program for the Swiss Army's international military training cooperation. The program comprises 39 training activities, including 10 exercises within the framework of the Partnership for Peace (PfP) as well as 29 bilateral and multilateral activities with selected states. The initiative aims to strengthen defense capabilities and interoperability, while simultaneously enabling knowledge exchange and access to international training infrastructure.

Persons

  • Federal Council (collectively)

Topics

  • Security Policy
  • Military Cooperation
  • NATO/PfP Partnership
  • Defense Capability

Clarus Lead

The Federal Council has approved a comprehensive training program for 2026 that engages the Swiss Army in international training activities. The program strengthens military interoperability and enables access to training opportunities that are not available in Switzerland due to geographical and environmental constraints. Particular emphasis is placed on participation in Partnership for Peace exercises as well as bilateral cooperation with selected states.

Detailed Summary

The approved training program provides for a total of 39 training activities, strategically distributed between Switzerland and abroad. Ten of these activities take place within the framework of the NATO Partnership for Peace, while 29 further activities occur at bilateral and multinational levels with specific partner states. Of the 29 decentralized activities, an estimated 6 will be conducted in Switzerland, while 23 will take place abroad.

International training cooperation pursues several strategic objectives: It enables the Swiss Army to review its own capabilities and processes through comparison with international standards and to increase interoperability. At the same time, cooperation opens access to training opportunities that are not possible in Switzerland due to geographical or environmental factors – such as air force exercises in larger formations. In return, the Swiss Army provides other states with specialized training infrastructure and expertise, for example simulators or mountain combat training.

The Federal Council has furthermore empowered the Defense Group to independently conclude necessary bilateral or multilateral implementation agreements in order to make the program's implementation more flexible.

Key Statements

  • 39 training activities approved for 2026, of which 10 within the PfP framework and 29 bilateral/multilateral
  • Distribution: 6 exercises in Switzerland, 23 abroad
  • Focus on strengthening defense capability and interoperability through international knowledge exchange
  • Access to training opportunities (e.g., air force exercises) that cannot be conducted in Switzerland
  • Mutual benefit: Switzerland provides specialized infrastructure and expertise

Critical Questions

  1. Evidence/Data Quality: What measurable indicators demonstrate that interoperability is actually enhanced through these 39 activities? Do evaluation mechanisms exist for effectiveness?

  2. Conflicts of Interest: What criteria determine the selection of "selected states" as training partners? Are there security policy or diplomatic conflicts of interest in partner selection?

  3. Causality/Alternatives: To what extent are international exercises necessary to develop defense capability? Could national training facilities or simulations achieve similar results?

  4. Feasibility/Risks: What costs are associated with the 39 activities, and how are these budgeted? Are there risks arising from the delegation of contract conclusion to the Defense Group without additional parliamentary oversight?

  5. Transparency: How is the public informed about the contents and results of these exercises, particularly regarding the 23 foreign operations?

Source Directory

Primary Source: Federal Council Media Release – Federal Council Approves International Army Training Program 2026 – https://www.news.admin.ch/de/newnsb/vgvmvfIvocGPE4ZxHscuH (11.02.2026)

Verification Status: ✓ 11.02.2026

This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial Responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-Check: 11.02.2026