Thun Military Base Becomes Defence Cluster – Civilian Plans Under Pressure
Federal Government Alters Plans for Thun Nord
Federal Government Changes Plans for Thun Nord
The Thun military training area is to be developed into a significant defence and innovation hub. The Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (VBS) is therefore retaining federally owned land in the ESP Thun Nord development area.
According to the VBS, these areas are not intended for purely civilian uses. Representatives of armasuisse and the Army already informed the City of Thun about the new situation in August.
This shifts the perspective for part of the area: originally intended development opportunities for civilian uses will increasingly become a location where military requirements are combined with research, industry, and technological development.
What Lies Behind the «Defence Cluster»
The term Defence Cluster does not simply mean additional barracks or military infrastructure. The VBS aims to open the site to defence-relevant industrial and research partners.
The focus is on technologies important for Switzerland's future defence capability. These include drones and counter-drone systems, robotics, cyber technologies, and other systems for reconnaissance, networking, and the protection of critical infrastructure.
This new direction aligns with the Army's strategic realignment. The Federal Council intends to develop the Swiss Army from an organisation primarily focused on training into a more operationally oriented army. Concurrently, cooperation with universities, industry, and start-ups will be expanded.
80 Percent of Investments Targeted at New Threats
The guidelines for defence adopted by the Federal Council on June 19, 2026, form the basis for this realignment. They respond to a changed security situation where hybrid threats and long-range attacks are considered particularly probable.
Armaments planning therefore stipulates that by 2039, approximately 80 percent of investments will go towards countering these most probable threats. This specifically includes air defence, the deployment and defence against drones, and the protection of networks, data, and critical systems.
A first drone battalion is to be established by 2028. For this, the Army will collaborate more closely with Swiss universities, companies, and start-ups. Thun is expected to benefit from this development, becoming a place where such capabilities are not only used but also developed and advanced.
This Changes Urban Development for Thun
ESP Thun Nord is an approximately 62-hectare development area situated between the city centre and the Lerchenfeld district. The location has been developed over years as an important economic and development hub.
However, the Federal Government's new position does not mean that the entire ESP Thun Nord will be used militarily in the future. Rather, it is crucial that federally owned land within the perimeter will no longer be allocated for purely civilian purposes.
Which specific plots and projects might be affected is not yet conclusively clarified. These exact questions will now be examined jointly with the City of Thun and other stakeholders.
Military Site or Economic Factor?
For Thun, the new situation brings not only restrictions but also a potential economic opportunity. A Defence Cluster could attract companies from the security and armaments industry, research institutions, and technology companies.
This also aligns with the Federal Government's overarching armaments policy. Switzerland aims to strengthen its security-relevant technology and industrial base domestically and expand research, development, and innovation. One goal is to keep critical capabilities and technologies more readily available within the country.
For Thun, a new question arises: Can the militarily dominated training area evolve into an innovation hub that also gains economic significance?
Dialogue with the City is Just Beginning
VBS and the City of Thun intend to further develop the new situation jointly. A dialogue is planned for the next 12 to 24 months, involving other interest groups in addition to the city.
The focus will primarily be on the specific use of the areas, existing plans, and how military and civilian interests can be combined.
Therefore, it remains unclear how much the face of Thun Nord will actually change. However, it is certain that the Federal Government no longer primarily views these areas as a potential reserve for civilian urban development, but as a strategic resource for Switzerland's future defence capability.
Thun Becomes Part of a New Defence Strategy
The decision for Thun thus represents a larger change. Given the heightened security situation, military capabilities, technology, and industrial capacities in Switzerland are to be more closely integrated.
The Thun military training area could play a special role in this. Where previously the main question was how military areas could be made available for urban development, the focus is now increasingly on how the existing military site can evolve into a defence and innovation centre.
Whether this will indeed result in a high-performing Defence Cluster or if military and civilian interests will clash remains to be seen in the coming years. The crucial discussions between the Federal Government and the city have just begun.
Sources
- VBS: 'VBS strengthens Thun location for defence and innovation', September 7, 2026.
- Federal Council/VBS: 'Guidelines for Defence: Federal Council aligns Army with defence capability', June 19, 2026.
- VBS: Federal Council Guidelines for Defence.
- Federal Office for Armaments armasuisse: Federal Council's Armaments Policy Strategy.
- ESP Thun Nord: Information on the Development Focus Area.
