http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articles-view/release/3/107472/swiss-army-could-be-cut-by-one_third.html


Army Could Be Cut By A Third


(Source: Swissinfo; issued August 17, 2009)


The Swiss Army could be slashed by at least a third over the next ten to 12 years, Defence Minister Ueli Maurer said in an interview published on Sunday. In a break from the Swiss People's Party traditional platform, Maurer, a member of the rightwing party, also said the defence ministry was prepared to send the army abroad on humanitarian missions.

In an interview with the SonntagsZeitung newspaper, Maurer said no reductions would occur for five or six years.

Ranks could be culled from 120,000 soldiers today to 80,000 over the next decade, Maurer said. Reservists would go from 80,000 soldiers today to 40,000.

Heavy weapons divisions would probably bear the brunt of the downsizing. Maurer said a mechanised war with equipment like tanks now seems unlikely in Europe.

Maurer also said the army should reserve the right to revoke a weapon from a soldier who has a criminal background.

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As if the Swiss Army wasn't small enough already

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They've only got 7.5 Million people! Not to mention there is compulsory military service and everyone has their gear at home. Being a neutral country and not fighting in any wars abroad means that they don't really need a large force, just enough of one to deter an invasion from other European nations.


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"deeds, not words"

Hitler wanted to splat them because he despised their neutrality stance but his generals actually managed to talk him out of doing something stupid for once.

Yeah, no doubt of that! Otherwise where would they hide the money they stole from the jews...

Anyways the Helvetic Confederation has a pretty impressive force considering its size and the level of threat in the region (= 0).

"Memento Audere Semper"

Ohh no, those evil Liechtensteiners will surely take this opportunity to attack in the East.

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