Over the last years, the number of peace support operations has risen. In many regions stricken with crisis and instability humanitarian aid and civil reconstruction is not feasible any more without the protection by military troops. Under the authority of the United Nations NATO has taken the lead in numerous military peace support operations tasked to provide a secure and stable environment. It is working there side by side with its partners, also with Switzerland.
Improvement of military interoperability is a priority in Switzerland's commitment to the Partnership for Peace. Since it first joined the Partnership, Switzerland has endeavoured to improve its cooperation capacity for peace support operations and missions supporting humanitarian operations. The increasingly complex environment of such missions requires the constant improvement and development of interoperability. This involves not only military but also civil-military cooperation capacity. The Partnership offers nations the opportunity to improve that kind of capacity, for instance by multinational training and exercises.
During the 1990s, NATO sent troops to different conflict regions on behalf of the UN to help stabilise these areas and guarantee reconstruction. Switzerland has also been involved in one of these peace support missions.
Since 1999 Switzerland has been part of the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR). The Swiss Company (SWISSCOY), comprising 220 men plus additional staff and support elements, primarily offers logistical services. Its main tasks include water treatment, specialist transport, staff medical service support and fuel supply. The Swiss contingent has also a mechanised infantry vehicle with wheeled armoured personnel carriers and an air transport craft (Super Puma helicopter) at its disposal. The Federal Assembly has extended the mission until the end of 2011.
peace support operations
- With its wheeled armoured personnel carriers Switzerland is carrying out security operations.