Swiss Ground Troops Begin Foreign Military Training After 30 Years

This week marks a significant milestone for the Swiss Army as approximately 1,000 personnel head to Austria for a two-week military exercise, Trias 25. This exercise represents the first time in three decades that Swiss ground troops have trained outside of their home country, sparking discussions regarding the implications for Switzerland's longstanding policy of neutrality.

The operation commenced with the loading of 60 armored vehicles at the Thun military base, including Leopard 2 tanks, which were transported by rail to Allentsteig, a military training facility situated 600 kilometers away in Lower Austria, near the Czech border. Along with the tanks, various other armored and infantry vehicles will be deployed, alongside the Swiss contingent arriving by bus early Wednesday morning.

During the next two weeks, Swiss troops will engage in joint exercises with German and Austrian military personnel, focusing on combined arms operations. The significance of this exercise is underscored by the fact that the last foreign training conducted by the Swiss Army occurred in 1992 and 1996.

This shift in training strategy comes in the wake of heightened discussions surrounding national defense, particularly following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Swiss Army, previously focused on domestic operations and civil support, is now emphasizing the need for effective military readiness.

Allentsteig is one of Europe's largest military training areas, encompassing 157 square kilometers--almost the size of the Swiss canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden--allowing for extensive and realistic training scenarios, including live-fire exercises. In contrast, Switzerland's own training grounds, such as Bure in the Jura canton, are significantly smaller and lack the capacity for such comprehensive maneuvers.

Swiss military leadership has made it clear that this exercise does not imply a shift towards NATO alignment. The training will adhere to Swiss regulations, with NATO standards being used solely for comparative purposes. While troops from Germany and Austria will participate, the primary focus remains on the Swiss contingent, which will comprise 850 soldiers present throughout the exercise.

Participation in this foreign training exercise was voluntary, leading to initial concerns about recruiting sufficient personnel. However, as the exercise dates approached, additional soldiers from various battalions were called upon to fill the ranks, leading to a diverse group of participants eager to enhance their skills through this unique opportunity.

The training will feature a mix of friendly and opposing formations, fostering cooperation and interoperability among the forces involved. This collaborative approach aims to avoid the perception of competition between nations, emphasizing shared learning and operational synergy.

The initiative aligns with Switzerland's neutral stance and has received positive feedback from Austrian officials, who recognize the value of multinational exercises in enhancing operational capabilities. Following the conclusion of the exercise, Swiss troops will return to Thun for debriefing and reintegration into civilian life.

Looking ahead, the Swiss Army plans to expand its foreign training initiatives, with future exercises tentatively scheduled for 2027 and 2029, potentially involving larger contingents and additional European training locations.