The Swiss Army plans to convert decommissioned fortress mortar bunkers into reinforced combat hubs designed to withstand heavy attacks in response to the conflict on NATO’s eastern flank.
A tender published by Bern calls for hubs suitable for militia use, reflecting Switzerland’s reliance on a citizen-soldier army.
Structures are required to be effective against armored and unarmored ground systems, as well as low-altitude airborne targets, according to state-owned broadcasting agency SwissInfo.
The solicitation prefers that the covered bunkers under the project remain unchanged, with modifications to center on next-generation weapon systems that could be operational within a few hours.
It should also be “cost-efficient and require minimal personnel.”
“Given the changing threat landscape, we’re now looking into how the army can make modern use of the former sites,” the Swiss Federal Armaments Office said in its preliminary notice.
Currently, the central European country has a network of approximately 8,000 bunkers across its domains, several of which date back to the 1880s.
Diverse Partnerships
The government outlet noted that the bid invitation is open for companies, startups, and academic institutions with expertise in security-related solutions.
Additional details about the initiative will be shared at an exhibit hosted by the non-profit Swiss Society for Technology and Armed Forces in September, aimed at fostering partnerships and potential projects among participants.
“We’re looking for ideas from all sectors, not just defence,” the organization emphasized.
