Cold war facilities to be re-opened

Villa Rose, Gland. An old WW2 fort disguised as a house. (c) Schultz/wikipedia

With the uncertain security situation in Europe, Switzerland is bringing back some cold war facilities and stopping the decommissioning of bunkers and fortifications.

The main – and most expensive – change is the reopening of some airbases. Currently there are three main bases, in cantons Vaud, Bern and Lucerne.

It’s thought that makes the Airforce more vulnerable to attack – so former three cold war fields are going to be reopening – in Nidwalden, Glarus and another in Bern.

It’s not just the Airforce that’s decentralizing – the army is doing the same. The programme to close bunkers has been halted and many will be re-opening to house soldiers and munitions. 

The idea is to deploy troops faster if necessary. 

But it’s not just within Switzerland that’s changing - or even on this planet. 

From January the Airforce will also have a Space Command. The aim is to have facilities to spy on communications and observe Earth from space. 

It will have a budget of CHF 850m. 

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