Bern: Switzerland has adopted a new security strategy focused on resilience and defence, a significant shift for a country whose neutrality has shaped its foreign and security policy for generations.
The Swiss Federal Council approved the 2026 Security Policy Strategy on September 18, setting out 10 objectives and 46 measures to respond to what it describes as a more unstable international environment.
Switzerland has maintained a policy of neutrality for centuries and its neutrality is enshrined in the Federal Constitution. It remains outside military alliances and says it will continue to preserve neutrality while cooperating with other countries on security and participating in sanctions regimes.
What has changed is the assessment of the threats facing the country.
The strategy identifies Russia’s war in Ukraine, growing rivalry between major powers, cyberattacks, disinformation, espionage, sabotage and critical infrastructure vulnerabilities as key security concerns.
It also warns that Switzerland could face long range attacks involving drones or ballistic missiles, even though the strategy says a direct armed attack on Switzerland remains unlikely in the foreseeable future.
The strategy therefore places three areas at its centre: strengthening national resilience, improving protection against threats and increasing defence capabilities.
The third area is particularly notable. Switzerland wants its armed forces to be capable of defending the country independently for as long as possible, while also preparing for defence cooperation with other countries if an attack exceeds Swiss capabilities.
This does not mean Switzerland is abandoning neutrality. Instead, the policy reflects an attempt to reconcile neutrality with a more demanding European security environment.
Switzerland has separately described itself as a neutral state that is increasing its engagement in multilateral dialogue, arms control and international law.
The timing is also significant. Swiss voters are due to vote on September 27 on a proposed constitutional initiative seeking stricter neutrality rules, including provisions defining Switzerland's neutrality as perpetual and armed.
Switzerland's strategy illustrates how the security consequences of the Ukraine war and the spread of cyber, drone and other hybrid threats are affecting even states that have traditionally sought distance from military confrontation.
Its challenge is now to strengthen national defence and international security cooperation while preserving the neutrality that remains central to its national policy.
