Senior Course 142 Field Study 3: first stop in Switzerland

On Tuesday, 30 May 2023, upon its arrival at Barracks Bern, Senior Course 142 was officially welcomed by Mr Roman Hunger, Head of Multilateral Military Cooperation, International Relations, Swiss Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS).

Colonel Danielle Roy, NDC Faculty Advisor and Canada’s Senior National Representative, then introduced the first briefer of the day, Dr Joachim Adler, Head of Defence Policy and Operations and Deputy Head of Security Policy in DDPS. Drawing from the 2021 report on Switzerland’s security policy, Dr Adler underscored his country’s firm intention to make improvements in the fields of security and defence, by enhancing international cooperation, with a special focus on NATO, increasing interoperability and participating in defence exercises and peace support operations, whilst also strengthening defence capabilities and investing more in the defence budget. The expenditure target of 1% of GDP by 2035 will enable improvements in land forces, air defence and the cyber domain. He went on to stress the fundamental concept of neutrality, which is “part of the Swiss DNA”, but added that it did not mean Switzerland was indifferent to what is happening in Ukraine, condemning the brutal aggression and also supporting Ukraine's victims of the conflict. At the end of the presentation, Course Members put some questions to the briefer regarding Swiss neutrality and its implication in international cooperation, a possible role for Switzerland in mediation with a view to ending the war in Ukraine, as well as cyber and defence cooperation.

The second briefing of the day, presented by Lieutenant General Süssli, Chief of the Swiss Armed Forces, focused on the Forces’ mission, conscription system, structures, deployments and future developments. After a short introduction on his country’s historical background, LGEN Süssli gave some insights on its Armed Forces’ mission, which is centred on internal defence and in line with the country’s neutrality status. Elaborating on the conscription system, he indicated that military service – compulsory for male citizens and voluntary for female citizens – lasts 245 days in total, including 18 weeks of basic training and six 3-week refresher courses over 9 years. After providing an overview of the Armed Forces’ organizational structure, LGEN Süssli spoke about their contribution to international peace support efforts, with troops deployed in several theatres around the world, mainly in Kosovo in support of the NATO-led KFOR mission. Relations have been maintained with NATO since 1951, and intensifying cooperation is an objective of the Swiss Armed Forces for the near future, as well as strengthening defence capabilities, adaptation to new technologies and improving interoperability, concluded LGEN Süssli. A Q&A session was held to wrap up the morning portion of presentations, with discussions mainly focusing on the southern flank, hybrid warfare, Switzerland’s neutrality status, its conscription and recruitment system, climate change and interoperability.

After lunch, the NDC delegation was taken on a boat tour on Thun Lake, a wonderful location to continue the day’s academic discussions. Once the boat left, Ambassador Gabriel Lüchinger, Head of the International Security Division at the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) State Secretariat in Bern, shared some insights regarding Switzerland’s foreign policy. In relation to the Russian aggression against Ukraine, the diplomat was keen to stress the Swiss position again, condemning Russia and supporting the sanctions adopted by the EU, adding that Switzerland remains committed to the reconstruction of Ukraine, in which it intends to play a crucial role. He went on to address Switzerland’s future challenges: increasing migration, artificial intelligence, hybrid, climate change and boosting cooperation with NATO. The briefing was followed by questions from SC142 Course Members on the Swiss perception of China, the war in Ukraine, women in the Swiss conscription system, the country’s neutrality status and international operations.

In the evening, a reception was held for the NDC delegation at Niesen Kulm, an impressive location which made the day even more unforgettable.

The following day, the academic programme continued at “The Circle”, the Convention Centre at Zurich Airport, where SC142 heard further presentations before leaving for their next destination.

His Excellency Mr Jiří Ellinger, Chargé d’affaires, Embassy of the Czech Republic in Bern and NATO Contact Point Embassy in Switzerland, led the first briefing, focusing on the Russia-Ukraine war and the importance of NATO at this crucial juncture. He underscored the Czech Republic’s strong support for Ukraine, not least in light of his country’s tragic experience with Russia in the past, remarking on Russia’s unwillingness to accept that neighbouring countries should be able to decide autonomously which defence alliance they wished to join. The diplomat concluded by clarifying that while his country was not invested with any official tasks by NATO as the point of contact for Switzerland, it worked to facilitate diplomatic exchanges, playing an unofficial role.

The next presentation was delivered by Mr Hervé Auffret, Head of Advisory Field Support in the International Security Sector Advisory Team (ISSAT), DCAF –Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance. The speaker briefly described DCAF, its mission, principles and field of engagement, and the nature of its activities. He pointed to the importance of the organization’s work in improving governance in the security sector around the world, providing support in law and politics, building the capacity of national and international actors, producing unrestricted research and knowledge products, promoting international good governance, cooperation and reforms in the security sector. At the end of Mr Auffret’s presentation, the two briefers answered questions from Course Members on the role played by DCAF in the Ukraine war, on cooperation with NATO and the EU, cooperation with NGOs, the role to be played in the Balkans in light of the deteriorating situation in Kosovo, and DCAF’s activities in the MENA region. This ended the Swiss portion of Field Study 3.

NDC Public Affairs Office