Schweizer Armee Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT Operations with SWISSCOY in Kosovo
Operations since 1999 Up to 190 Swiss nationals are deployed on behalf of KFOR. Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 2
Kosovo Surface area 11 000 km2, population 1.84 mio Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 3
Population and Religion Albanians in Kosovo 90-100% 80-90% 70-80% 60-70% 50-60% 40-50% 30-40% 20-30% 10-20% 0-10% Quota of Albanians in the overall population in % in the year 1991 Quota of Albanians in the overall population in % in the year 2005 Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 4
Economy Everywhere in Kosovo you encounter great contradictions. Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 5
Principles for a UN Mission Conflict in Kosovo UN-Resolution 1244 Consent of conflicting parties Finances Mandate Troops Deployment of KFOR Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 6
UN Mandate, Armed Engagement Permanent mission to UN informs MFA / DDPS Provisional decision by Federal Council for an engagement Report by MFA and DDPS or DFC Federal Council: < 100 MAF < 21 days Parliament: > 100 MAF > 21 days Planning, recruiting, equipment, training and deployment by SWISSINT Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 7
National Legal Basis Swiss Military Code Article 1, item 4 and article 66: Mission of the Armed Forces, Art. 1, item 4: They contribute to international peace support. Mandate related decisions of the Swiss Federal Council / Parliament Military service regulations (DR 04) annex on peace support service Tactics Field Manual (TF) XXI chapter 11 peace support operations Decree on peace-keeping operations personnel, enhancing human rights and humanitarian aid of 25 August 2009 peace support service of 26 February 1997 Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 8
Compatible with our Neutrality 1. UN-mandate; 2. Agreement of the conflict parties; 3. Legal basis Swiss military law: - Art. 1, Para. 3; - Revised article 66 (66a / 66b). Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 9
Federal Council s Decision in 1999 Change of Command at the airport in Pristina. Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 10
Start of the Kosovo Force (KFOR) While tanks were prevalent at the beginning of the mission, Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 11
The Kosovo Force Today they have been replaced today primarily by LMTs. Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 12
Structure of SWISSCOY Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 13
Joint Regional Detachements Regional headquarters for the liaison and monitoring teams (LMTs); Assessment of all collected information; Identify potential sources of crises; Early warning system for KFOR HQ; Build and maintain a network with the international community and institutions in Kosovo. Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 14
Command JRD Nord Since January 2012, a Swiss colonel is in command. Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 15
Missions of the LMT Early warning system for KFOR through talks with inhabitants and authorities. 4 SWISSCOY LMT with 7-12 members each. LMT buildings in Prizren (1), Malishevo (1), Mitrovica (1) and at Camp in Novo Selo (1). Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 16
Missions of Support Company Vehicle maintenance. Camp maintenance. Supply and return. Stockpiling service in the camp (crossloading). Command support. Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 17
Missions of the Transport Group Heavy and special transports. Transport of people and goods. Salvaging vehicles (standby service). Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 18
Missions of the Infra-Group Keeping traffic routes open. Improvement. Maintenance. Deconstruction. Naturalisation. Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 19
Missions of the EOD Team Defusing explosives, unexploded ordnance and mines. Swiss EOD team comprises 4 explosives experts. Stationed at KFOR headquarters in Pristina. Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 20
Missions of the Air Force Detachment Transport of people and goods. Medical rescue and evacuation. Fire fighting. Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 21
Requirement Profile Swiss citizenship; Medical capability; No open or approved applications for joining the civil service; Successfully completed recruit school; Successfully completed professional education; Driving licence, category B; Command of foreign language according to function; Age: 20-50 years; Successful completion of course (4-12 weeks); Available for 8-9 months (training + deployment). Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 22
Recruitment Public call for tenders SWISSCOY members who extend term of service SWISSINT personnel pool Recruitment procedure Training course Deployment Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 23
Training concept Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 24
Training Depending on function, the course takes 4 to 12 weeks. Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 25
Personnel and Finances After April 2018: max. 190 persons After Oct 2019: max. 165 persons Budget 2017 CHF 44.2 million Budget 2018 CHF 42.4 million Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 26
The Swiss camp at KFOR headquarters in Pristina. Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 27
The Swiss camp in Novo Selo Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 28
Swiss LMT members "en route". Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 29
SWISSCOY is also tasked with special transports. Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 30
The infra-group does important maintenance work. Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 31
Vehicle maintenance in the repair hangar. Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 32
Here a medical emergency is being rehearsed. Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 33
The air force transports people and goods in Kosovo. Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 34
Today, up to 30 women serve in each contingent. Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 35
International Cooperation Swiss nationals are appreciated by other armed forces because: apart from their military expertise, Swiss soldiers also provide much civilian knowledge and skills; thanks to their technical expertise, the Swiss soldiers are able to contribute to the success of a mission with niche products that are in demand; the Swiss soldiers are multi-lingual; the Swiss soldiers are willing to make concessions. Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 36
Impression on Location The local population, authorities and organisations appreciate the Swiss soldiers because: Switzerland is neutral; Switzerland has no colonial heritage; the Swiss soldiers have no national interests abroad to safeguard. Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 37
Experiences Made Six months of real mission deployment abroad; Practical operational command with strict security conditions; Operational cooperation with other armed forces; Communication across great distances; Logistic supply across international borders. Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 38