G7 summit in France: Switzerland will deploy 4,000 soldiers on its territory to strengthen its security

Switzerland will deploy around 4,000 soldiers on its territory in order to strengthen the security system on the occasion of the G7 summit organized in France in mid-June, the Swiss army said on Thursday. Scheduled for June 15 to 17 in Évian-les-Bains, on the shores of Lake Geneva, the summit will bring together the leaders of the world’s major economies, including American President Donald Trump, as well as several high-level delegations.

The scale of the event and its immediate proximity to the Swiss border require close coordination between civil and military authorities, underlines the army. “The proximity to the border represents a major challenge for the security authorities in the cantons of Vaud, Geneva and Valais. Consequently, the Federal Council and Parliament decided on a subsidiary deployment of the army.require a communiqué des forces armées.

Skip the ad

The military will be responsible in particular for protecting sensitive infrastructure, including Geneva airport, strengthening border surveillance and securing the main transport routes as well as Lake Geneva. The Swiss Air Force will also strengthen its surveillance of airspace, with restrictions planned for June 10 to 19, as well as its anti-drone and protection capabilities against nuclear, biological and chemical threats.