Switzerland reawakens its bunkers as war fears return to Europe

As geopolitical tensions rise in Europe, Switzerland is taking steps to re-evaluate and modernise its extensive system of military bunkers — many of which have remained dormant since the end of the Cold War. 

The Swiss military is currently assessing around 8,000 bunkers located throughout the country, some of which date back as far as 1886. The review focuses on determining their current relevance and identifying the best strategies for updating and repurposing them for modern defense needs, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Originally designed to safeguard critical infrastructure such as the Gotthard railway and Alpine mountain passes, the bunkers formed the backbone of Switzerland’s National Redoubt strategy during World War II and the Cold War. This vast network of underground fortifications was intended to deter or repel invasion, especially in the event of a Soviet offensive.

Many of these bunkers were once outfitted with sophisticated defensive systems to counter missile threats. But with the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War, their strategic value diminished. Over the years, numerous bunkers were decommissioned and sold to private buyers.

In civilian hands, the bunkers found an unexpected second life. Some were turned into cheese cellars, art galleries, and boutique hotels. Others became high-security data centers or even cryptocurrency vaults  —like the “Swiss Fort Knox” in the canton of Bern, a former military facility now used to store digital assets.

However, in 2023, the Swiss military halted all sales of bunkers and began taking stock of the remaining assets. "We have to use what we have," Swiss Army Commander Thomas Süssli said in an interview with Swiss media.

Süssli acknowledged the evolving nature of military threats: “The nature of military threats has changed. The bunkers are poorly located, and the weapons stored in them will only last ten to twenty years.”

Despite these challenges, the Swiss army now aims to convert the existing bunkers into technologically advanced, resilient defence hubs—sites that would be difficult to destroy or disrupt in the event of a conflict. The plan is to modernize them in a way that is both cost-efficient and requires minimal personnel.

To explore creative uses and technological upgrades, the Swiss Society for Technology and the Armed Forces (STA) is organising an "Innovation Day" in mid-September. The event is expected to unveil new concepts for bunker modernisation and will invite contributions from a broad range of sectors. “We are looking for ideas from all sectors, not just defence,” the STA stated.

By Tamilla Hasanova