The Federation shall establish Armed Forces for purposes of defense. Their numerical strength and general organizational structure must be shown in the budget.
During a state of war or a state of emergency, at the demand of the competent cantonal authorities, the Armed Forces shall have the power to protect civilian property and to perform traffic control functions to the extent necessary to accomplish their defense mission. Moreover, during a state of war or a state of emergency, the Armed Forces may also be authorized to support police measures for the protection of civilian property; in this event the Armed Forces shall cooperate with the competent authorities.
In order to avert an imminent danger to the existence or free democratic basic order of the Federation or of a canton, the Federal Government, if forces of the police are insufficient, may employ the Armed Forces to support the police in protecting civilian property. Any such employment of the Armed Forces shall be initiated if, and only if, the Federal or cantonal Government so demands.
Federal laws concerning defense, including recruitment for military service and protection of the civilian population, may, with the consent of the Federal Government, provide that they shall be executed, wholly or in part, either by federal administrative authorities with their own administrative substructures or by the cantons.
Federal Army is composed of the professional staff and “carrier military”. Permanent organizations and assets. cantons must maintain structures for reserve army and training (draft) military service. Such services to be coordinated with Federal Army.
