Neutral Swiss to Revise Security Strategy as Threats Grow

Swiss military personnel: Last month, the Swiss defence ministry said conscripts in its military numbered around 146,700 as of March 01, 2025 but sufficient numbers of new personnel could not be guaranteed because of premature departures from service | Photo: Swiss Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS)

Switzerland has decided to revise its security strategy as the security situation in Europe deteriorates and the range of threats facing the country expands. The Swiss Federal Council on December 12, 2025 launched a consultation on a new security policy strategy and instructed federal departments to begin preparatory implementation work to address what it describes as a heightened threat level.

The move comes amid growing uncertainty in the European security environment, including the ongoing war in Ukraine and a spate of airspace intrusions by unidentified drones across several European countries. These incidents have disrupted civil air traffic and raised concerns about internal security, airspace protection and the ability of authorities to respond to hybrid threats that blur the line between civilian and military domains.

The consultation will run until March 31, 2026. Switzerland typically produces a security policy report every four to ten years. The most recent report was published in 2021 and supplemented in 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In June 2024, the Federal Council concluded that a broader security policy strategy was needed to reflect continued deterioration in the threat environment and to involve federal, cantonal and external stakeholders more directly.

The revised strategy is designed as an overarching framework covering all security-relevant policy areas. It is intended to guide the federal government, cantons and municipalities, while also serving as a reference for civil society, business leaders, academic institutions and policymakers. It is also meant to provide orientation for Switzerland’s international partners. Switzerland is not a member of NATO, but is surrounded by EU and NATO member states, whose security environment directly affects its own.

In outlining the threat picture, the Federal Council points to increasing geopolitical rivalry, economic dependencies being used for political leverage, and a rise in hybrid activities such as disinformation, cyberattacks, espionage and sabotage. Recent drone incursions into controlled airspace at airports and sensitive sites across Europe are cited as examples of emerging risks that can have immediate economic and security consequences without crossing the threshold of armed conflict.

The strategy is also being shaped by changes in the transatlantic context. The recent release of a new U.S. National Security Strategy under President Donald Trump has signalled a reduced emphasis on NATO and a stronger expectation that European countries assume greater responsibility for their own defence. At the same time, U.S. positions on negotiations to end the war in Ukraine have increased uncertainty in Europe about long-term security guarantees, reinforcing debates over resilience and self-reliance.

Against this backdrop, the Swiss strategy adopts a “comprehensive security” approach, combining civilian and military resources and involving federal and cantonal actors across foreign, domestic and economic policy areas. International cooperation is identified as a key element, despite Switzerland’s non-membership of NATO.

The framework is structured around three strategic priorities: strengthening resilience by reducing vulnerabilities and critical dependencies; improving protection and prevention to enhance internal security and protect the population; and enhancing defence capabilities to ensure Switzerland can defend itself against an armed attack, including in cooperation with partners if required.

The Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) and the State Secretariat for Security Policy (SEPOS) will coordinate implementation. A permanent interdepartmental steering committee will be established, with a progress report due to the Federal Council by the end of 2028.