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Training cooperation with Colorado National Guard: DDPS to participate in State Partnership Program with US

Swiss Government

Press release
Published on 12 September 2025

Bern, 12.09.2025 -- At its meeting on 12 September, the Federal Council approved a memorandum of understanding that launches a partnership between the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport and the Colorado National Guard under the State Partnership Program. The purpose of this partnership is to facilitate training cooperation, allowing the Swiss Armed Forces to expand their capabilities through international collaboration and strengthen their defence readiness. It also fosters closer cooperation with the US in areas beyond the military, thereby deepening bilateral relations in general.

On 15 March 2024, the Federal Council tasked the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) with signalling the Swiss Armed Forces' interest in joining the US National Guard's State Partnership Program (SPP). Switzerland has now joined the SPP and has been paired with the US state of Colorado and its National Guard as a partner. The DDPS and the Colorado National Guard have set out the scope and focus of future cooperation in a memorandum of understanding. This includes, among others, the areas of cyber defence, space, the protection of critical infrastructure, medical services and logistics.

This cooperation allows the Swiss Armed Forces to expand their expertise without entering into any obligations or dependencies. It is compatible with neutrality. Common ground is provided by the militia principle, on which the Swiss Armed Forces and the US National Guard are both organised, and by a similar range of tasks. Colorado is the highest-lying US state, with mountain regions comparable to the Alps. Possible joint activities include training for mountain specialists, along with exchanges of expertise in disaster relief and alpine transport.

Strengthening defence capabilities through increased cooperation

The US National Guard's State Partnership Program has existed since the 1990s. It promotes training cooperation between US states and foreign armed forces. To date, more than 100 countries have entered into such partnerships, including 25 in Europe. Switzerland and the US already have an agreement on military training cooperation in place; Switzerland's participation in the SPP builds on this framework.

Thanks to the militia system, the partnership with the National Guard creates opportunities to strengthen relations with the US in areas beyond the military, such as business, education and culture. The SPP can therefore facilitate activities with the state of Colorado, the private sector, and the US more broadly.

The memorandum of understanding will be signed in Switzerland by the Chief of the Armed Forces and the Commander of the Colorado National Guard. A second ceremony will be held at a later date in the US. It is customary for two ceremonies to be held when an SPP is concluded: one in the partner country and one in the US.