Mig-29
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GENEVA - Switzerland plans to cut its permanent army by a third in around a decade, Defense Minister Ueli Maurer said in an interview published Aug. 16.
"Today, we have 120,000 full-time soldiers and 80,000 reservists. In 10 to 12 years, the army will consist of 80,000 full-time and 40,000 reserve soldiers," Maurer told weekly newspaper SonntagsZeitung.
Cuts will also be made to heavy weapons, artillery and tanks in a bid to modernize the force, he said.
"Times have changed," Maurer said, adding that a war in Europe involving armored vehicles was unlikely.
"Our army must become the most modern possible and be well-equipped and -trained," he said.
The defense minister, a member of the right-wing Swiss People's Party, added the reductions would begin in five or six years.
Switzerland has not been directly involved in an armed conflict since the 19th century.
Swiss Army Faces Big Cuts: Report - Defense News
"Today, we have 120,000 full-time soldiers and 80,000 reservists. In 10 to 12 years, the army will consist of 80,000 full-time and 40,000 reserve soldiers," Maurer told weekly newspaper SonntagsZeitung.
Cuts will also be made to heavy weapons, artillery and tanks in a bid to modernize the force, he said.
"Times have changed," Maurer said, adding that a war in Europe involving armored vehicles was unlikely.
"Our army must become the most modern possible and be well-equipped and -trained," he said.
The defense minister, a member of the right-wing Swiss People's Party, added the reductions would begin in five or six years.
Switzerland has not been directly involved in an armed conflict since the 19th century.
Swiss Army Faces Big Cuts: Report - Defense News
