Summary
Territorial Division 2 of the Swiss Army has successfully completed the four-week exercise «Conex 26» in northwestern Switzerland. Approximately 3500 military personnel trained mobilization, operational capability, and command under realistic conditions across three geographic arenas. The exercise concluded with certification of training blocks (EBA), demonstrating operational readiness in the context of elevated threat levels. In parallel, insights were gained regarding light infantry and emergency medical care. The division also trained cooperation with cantonal and civilian authorities as well as with military partners from France and Germany.
Persons
- Alexander Kohli (Divisional General, Commander Territorial Division 2)
Topics
- Military exercises and operational readiness
- Swiss Army – Territorial Division 2
- Civil-military cooperation
- Hybrid threat scenarios
Clarus Lead
The exercise «Conex 26» signals a reorientation of the Swiss Army toward realistic operational scenarios in times of elevated geopolitical tensions. The certification of training blocks creates a verifiable standard for operational readiness – a return to measurable quality standards that is central to the credibility of defense capabilities. The strengthening of cooperation with international partners (France, Germany) and civilian authorities indicates an integrated security architecture that extends beyond purely military capacities.
Detailed Summary
The exercise was structured around three thematic arenas: they encompassed the coordination of combat and support units, protection of critical infrastructure under hybrid threat conditions, secured logistics supply, facility protection and area surveillance, and animal disease control. These scenarios reflect an expanded security understanding that goes beyond classical military conflicts.
A focal point was operational training (EBA), whose certification serves as proof of operational readiness. Divisional General Kohli emphasized that certification is not an end in itself, but rather the measure of operational capability. Pilot projects on light infantry and emergency medical care provided additional optimization potential. Inter-organizational cooperation with cantonal police forces, civil protection, and veterinary services was practiced and interfaces optimized. A command post exercise with French and German military partners strengthened multilateral coordination.
Key Statements
- 3500 soldiers completed four-week mobilization and operational training under realistic conditions
- Certification of training blocks creates verifiable standards for operational readiness
- Integrated security concept: cooperation with civilian authorities and international military partners
Critical Questions
Evidence/Data Quality: What specific performance indicators were used for certification, and how do they differ from previous exercises?
Conflicts of Interest: To what extent does exercise planning influenced by demands for elevated threat perception affect scenario design?
Causality/Alternatives: Can operational readiness in real crisis situations be directly inferred from successful exercise outcomes, or are simulation conditions structurally limited?
Feasibility/Risks: How will the insights gained regarding light infantry and medical services be incorporated into regular training standards, and what resources are required for this?
Multilateral Coordination: What concrete procedural improvements resulted from the command post exercise with French and German partners?
Critical Infrastructure: How realistic are the trained scenarios for protecting critical infrastructure compared to current threat analyses?
Sources
Primary Source: Swiss Federal Council – Statement Territorial Division 2: «Exercise ‹Conex 26› Successfully Completed» – https://www.news.admin.ch/de/newnsb/VbanIvbhAQkY
Verification Status: ✓ 26.06.2026
This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial Responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-Check: 26.06.2026