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Increasing cyber defence: Switzerland takes part in the PESCO project "Cyber Ranges Federations"

Swiss Government

Press release
Published on 20 May 2025

Bern, 20.05.2025 -- Switzerland will take part in the European PESCO project "Cyber Ranges Federations". The EU Council approved participation today. The goal of the project is to network national cyber training infrastructures with each other to enable realistic, ambitious and efficient training in the area of cyber defence.

On 20 May 2025, the Council of the European Union (EU) approved Switzerland's participation in the "Cyber Ranges Federations" (CRF) project of the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO). In the project "Cyber Ranges Federations", national cyber training platforms from several European nations will be networked to jointly carry out exercises, training and research in the area of cyber defence.

By joining, Switzerland is increasing its international cooperation, enabling technologies to be tested and establishing a more diverse virtual training environment for the skilled personnel of the Armed Forces. Participation will take place selectively and on a needs-oriented basis via the Swiss Cyber Training Range.

Improving interoperability and increasing defence capability

In addition to the Cyber Ranges Federations, Switzerland will also take part in the PESCO project "Military Mobility", which facilitates cross-border military transport through simplified procedures. Both projects enhance interoperability and improve the training of the Armed Forces.

Back on 21 August 2024, the Federal Council approved Switzerland's participation in the CRF and in the Military Mobility project. Cooperation will be based on a non-binding administrative arrangement, which is consistent with Switzerland's obligations in terms of neutrality law.

PESCO

The Council of the European Union launched the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) in 2017. The focus is on jointly developing the defence capability of the member states and to this end implementing joint training and armament projects - with the goal of expanding the skills of the armed forces and increasing their interoperability. Today, 26 of 27 EU member states take part in more than 60 PESCO projects.