Swiss Armed Forces have around 147,000 personnel
Published: Friday, Nov 8th 2024, 12:50
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As at the cut-off date of March 1, 2024, the Swiss Armed Forces had an effective headcount of around 147,000. This exceeds the upper limit of 140,000 specified in the army organization by 5 percent.
The 147,000 members of the armed forces are divided into around 104,200 who still have to perform training service (70.9 percent) and around 42,800 who have already fulfilled their training service obligation (29.1 percent). Compared to 2023, the actual number has decreased by 204 people, as the Department of Defense, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) reported on Friday.
The decrease can be explained by the fact that the period of service was shortened to ten years with the further development of the army in 2018. However, in order to secure stocks during the transition phase, soldiers and non-commissioned officers who completed their recruit school before 2018 will remain in the army for twelve years, according to the DDPS.
©Keystone/SDA
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