Switzerland Military Power Ranking 2025
MPR Rank: 66th
MPR SCORE: 507
MPR Index: 0.1988 (1.0000 is perfect)
Reverse MPR Index: 0.7593 (0.0000 is perfect)
Z Score: 0.151 (standard deviations above the mean)
Overview
Switzerland ranks 66th in the 2025 Military Power Rankings (MPR). Known for its constitutional neutrality and non-alignment, Switzerland maintains a robust and well-trained military focused on territorial defense, national sovereignty, and civil support. While not designed for expeditionary warfare or coalition combat, the Swiss Armed Forces are well-equipped and highly disciplined, ensuring operational readiness in case of national crisis or regional instability.
Strengths: Neutral Defense Force with High Readiness
Militia System and Universal Training: Switzerland maintains a militia-based military, with mandatory service and a large trained reserve, allowing for rapid mobilization of over 200,000 personnel if needed.
Air Defense and Surveillance: The Swiss Air Force operates F/A-18 Hornets, modern air defense radar systems, and maintains control over national airspace through a comprehensive air policing network.
Civil Defense and Infrastructure Protection: Swiss forces are trained and equipped for infrastructure defense, disaster relief, and critical logistics, playing a dual role in military and civil emergency support.
Strategic Geography and Defensive Doctrine: Switzerland’s alpine terrain is fortified and defensible, with plans for delaying actions, underground facilities, and national mobilization embedded in defense planning.
Why Switzerland Is Still Ranked Just 66th
1. No Power Projection or Expeditionary Capability
Switzerland’s military is purely defensive and does not operate overseas.
No strategic lift, amphibious, or long-range strike capabilities
No participation in NATO or EU defense operations
Air force limited to national interception and patrol roles
2. Limited Combat Depth and Modernization Cycles
While well-trained, the force lacks modern offensive systems.
Aging F/A-18s awaiting replacement by F-35A by end of decade
Main armored assets include Leopard 2 tanks and Piranha IFVs, with no current heavy artillery modernization programs
Budget constraints limit rapid tech upgrades
3. Strategic Isolation and Political Constraints
Switzerland’s neutrality restricts military engagement and partnerships.
Not part of collective defense treaties
International military cooperation limited to training, diplomacy, and civil-military exchange
Deterrence strategy depends solely on national mobilization and terrain advantage
Conclusion
Switzerland maintains a highly capable defensive military with strong national mobilization capacity, advanced air policing, and a disciplined citizen-soldier system. However, within the MPR—which evaluates autonomous warfighting power, modernization, and global reach—Switzerland ranks 66th due to its deliberate non-alignment, lack of expeditionary capability, and strategic isolation.
Military Strength and Force Projection
Active Military Personnel: 30,000 (IISS 2023)
Reserve Personnel: 110,000 (CIA World Factbook)
Paramilitary Forces: 50,000 (Civil Defense and Border Guards)
Army Personnel: 25,000
Air Force Personnel: 5,000
Ground Forces
Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): 200+ (Leopard 2A4)
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 1,000+
Artillery (Towed and Self-Propelled): 200+
Air Force
Combat Aircraft: 50+ (SIPRI 2023)
Helicopters: 40+
Transport Aircraft: 15+
Aircraft Breakdown:
F/A-18 Hornet Fighter Jets: 30
Pilatus PC-21 Trainer Aircraft: 10
Eurocopter EC635: 20 (transport helicopters)
Naval Forces
Switzerland is a landlocked country and does not maintain a navy. Instead, its military focuses on air and land defense, with an emphasis on anti-aircraft capabilities and border security.
Missile Capabilities
Switzerland’s military is equipped with advanced air defense systems, including surface-to-air missile systems. However, it does not possess strategic missile capabilities such as ballistic or cruise missiles.
Strategic Partnerships
Switzerland maintains a policy of neutrality but cooperates with NATO through the Partnership for Peace program. It also engages in bilateral defense cooperation with neighboring European nations and plays an active role in peacekeeping and humanitarian missions globally.
Military History & Combat Experience
Switzerland’s military history is rooted in centuries of neutrality, militia tradition, and mountainous defense strategy. Although it has not engaged in foreign wars for over 200 years, Switzerland’s forces have evolved to ensure national sovereignty and maintain deterrence through readiness, training, and terrain mastery.
Medieval and Early Confederacy Period (1291–1515): The foundation of Swiss military tradition began with victories in battles such as Morgarten (1315) and Sempach (1386) against Habsburg forces, establishing the Old Swiss Confederacy as a resilient and united defense league. Swiss mercenaries became renowned across Europe for their discipline and combat prowess.
Battle of Marignano and Shift to Neutrality (1515): The defeat at Marignano marked a turning point in Swiss foreign policy. After centuries of continental engagement, Switzerland increasingly turned inward, eventually formalizing a policy of neutrality that would define its modern military posture.
Napoleonic Era and Swiss Confederation (1798–1815): Switzerland was invaded and reorganized by Napoleon, but later regained its independence during the Congress of Vienna, which reaffirmed its perpetual neutrality. This began a long-standing tradition of military self-defense without foreign intervention.
World War I and II (1914–1945): Switzerland remained neutral in both world wars but mobilized its forces to protect its borders. During World War II, Switzerland fortified the National Redoubt in the Alps, deployed hundreds of thousands of troops, and maintained defensive readiness despite being surrounded by Axis powers.
Cold War and Civil Defense (1945–1990s): During the Cold War, Switzerland remained outside both NATO and the Warsaw Pact, focusing on domestic fortification and preparing for total defense through universal conscription and civil defense infrastructure, including widespread shelter networks and stockpiled supplies.
Modern Era and Peace Support Roles (1990s–Present): Though still neutral, Switzerland has contributed to UN peacekeeping, including deployments to Kosovo (SWISSCOY) and observer missions in the Middle East. The Swiss military continues to support international humanitarian efforts, search and rescue operations, and cross-border disaster cooperation.
Switzerland’s military experience is defined not by offensive conflict but by its sustained readiness, mountainous defense doctrine, and national unity. While it does not project power abroad, the Swiss military remains highly capable of defending its territory and supporting civil society in times of crisis.
General Information
Switzerland
Demographics and Geography
Population: ~8.9 million (2024 est.)
Population Available for Military Service: ~2.8 million
Geographic Area: 41,290 km²
Land Boundaries: 1,935 km
Bordering Countries: Germany, France, Italy, Austria, Liechtenstein
Coastline: 0 km
Climate: Temperate, but varies with altitude; Alpine
Terrain: Mountains (Alps), central plateau, lakes and valleys
Natural Resources: Hydropower, salt, arable land, timber, minerals
Proven Oil Reserves: Negligible
Proven Natural Gas Reserves: Negligible
Economic Indicators
Defense Budget (2025): ~$6.6 billion USD
Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~0.8%
GDP (PPP): ~$900 billion USD
GDP per Capita (PPP): ~$102,000
External Debt: ~$1.7 trillion USD
Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): Slow growth with emphasis on self-defense and readiness
Military Infrastructure and Readiness
Military Service Obligation: Mandatory for men; voluntary for women
Primary Defense Focus: Armed neutrality, territorial defense, civil protection
Military Industry Base: Advanced; precision weapons, electronics, vehicles, drones
Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: Advanced; operates national cyber command
Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None (non-nuclear state)
Major Military Districts / Commands: Four territorial regions under Swiss Armed Forces
Missile Inventory Highlights: Stinger, AIM-120, ground-based air defense in modernization
Reservist Call-up Readiness / Timeline: Extremely high; full mobilization within 48–72 hours
Reservist Force Size: ~150,000
Space, Intelligence, and Strategic Infrastructure
Space or Satellite Programs: Contributes to ESA; focus on satellite communication and surveillance
Military Satellite Inventory: None
Intelligence Infrastructure: Federal Intelligence Service (FIS), Military Intelligence
Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: Bilateral, EU, OSINT-focused
Airports (Total): ~64
Major Military Airports: Payerne AB, Emmen AB, Meiringen AB
Naval Power and Maritime Logistics
Merchant Marine Fleet: ~40 vessels (flag of convenience)
Major Ports: None
Naval Infrastructure: Not applicable
Naval Replenishment Capability: Not applicable
Domestic Mobility and Infrastructure
Railway Network: ~5,200 km
Roadways: ~84,000 km
Energy and Fuel Logistics
Oil Production: None
Energy Imports: High dependency; uses nuclear and hydropower domestically
Strategic Petroleum Reserves: Maintains 4-month supply via national reserves
Defense Production and Strategic Forces
Domestic Defense Production: Rheinmetall Air Defence, RUAG, MOWAG (armored vehicles)
Military Installations (Domestic): Heavily fortified Alpine network
Military Installations (Overseas): None
Foreign Military Personnel Presence: None
Defense Alliances: Neutral; cooperates with NATO via Partnership for Peace
Strategic Airlift Capability: Limited; relies on C-130 leases and EU cooperation
Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: High self-sufficiency; Alpine fortifications and local production
Research and Industry Support
Defense R&D Investment: High; drones, electronics, secure comms, mountain warfare
Key Wartime Industries Beyond Defense: SBB (rail), RUAG, ABB, Nestlé (logistics, food), energy cooperatives
Political and Administrative Structure
Capital: Bern
Founding Date: August 1, 1291 (Swiss Confederation); modern federal state 1848
System of Government: Federal directorial republic
