Cold War Military history of Switzerland

at end of 1950s, reflecting both threat of possible invasion soviet union , realities of nuclear warfare, swiss military doctrine changed mobile defense included missions air force outside of territory, in order defeat standoff attacks , nuclear threats, including possibility of defensive employment of air-delivered nuclear weapons. inability field air force of sufficient capability carry out such missions led return of traditional protection of own territory doctrine. meanwhile, air force began prepare ad-hoc airbases in mountains, sections of highway strengthened act runways , hangars carved out of mountains.

in 1960s , 1970s, armed forces organised according armee 61 structure.

during cold war, swiss authorities considered construction of swiss nuclear bomb. leading nuclear physicists @ federal institute of technology zurich such paul scherrer made realistic possibility. however, financial problems defense budget prevented substantial funds being allocated, , nuclear non-proliferation treaty of 1968 seen valid alternative. remaining plans building nuclear weapons dropped 1988.