Swiss army horses: rising costs

Contesto

In brief - The Swiss army will spend 3.8 million francs on horses from 2026 to 2028 - Annual costs rise to 3.4 million francs - Criticism of excessive resource management ## Key facts - What: Increase in costs for managing the Swiss army's horses - When: 2026-2028 period - Where: National Equestrian Centre of Bern - Who: Swiss army - Amount: 3.8 million Swiss francs The Swiss army, known for its investments in advanced technologies such as drones and F-35 fighters, is facing an unexpected problem: the rising costs associated with maintaining its 51 horses. These animals, used for training patrol riders and officers, as well as for representative activities, are becoming increasingly expensive to keep. From 2026 to 2028, the army will have to allocate an additional 3.8 million Swiss francs to the National Equestrian Centre of Bern, with an annual increase of approximately 1.3 million francs. This brings the total annual expenditure to 3.4 million francs. The increase in costs is due to various factors, including the rise in prices of feed, bedding, horseshoes, and medicines. The salaries of specialized personnel have also increased, as the demand for qualified staff is growing. Moreover, the rates had not been updated for 20 years, which has contributed to the current situation. ### Criticism of management The expenses of the equestrian center have been criticized several times. As early as 2015, the Federal Audit Court had reported spending between 2.15 and 2.7 million francs annually, noting that the horses were used for only about 70 days a year. According to the auditors, better planning would have allowed significantly reducing the number of animals needed, highlighting a potential for savings that has remained unexplored so far. ### Use of horses Currently,...

Dettagli operativi

• ## Practical Implications The rising costs of managing the Swiss Army's horses raise several practical and financial questions. Firstly, it's important to consider how these costs might impact the Army's overall budget and, consequently, the resources available for other sectors. The Swiss Army is already grappling with technical issues and price hikes related to the acquisition of new technologies, such as drones and F-35 fighter jets. Adding further expenses for horses could put pressure on the budget, forcing a review of priorities and seeking cost-saving solutions. ### Comparison with the Previous Situation Before the cost increase, the annual expenditure for managing the horses was significantly lower. The Swiss Federal Audit Office had reported spending between 2.15 and 2.7 million francs annually. This means the current increase represents a 25-55% rise compared to the previous situation. This increase is due not only to the rise in material prices and salaries but also to the lack of tariff updates over the past 20 years. ### Future Scenarios If the current trend continues, the Swiss Army will likely face further cost increases. This could lead to a review of the horse management strategy, with possible reductions in the number of animals or changes in their use. Additionally, it may be necessary to revise tariffs and procurement contracts to ensure more efficient resource management. ### Comparison with Other Nations In other nations, the management of military horses is often subject to periodic reviews to optimize costs. For example, some armies have reduced the number of horses in favor of mechanical means, while others have implemented more efficient training programs. The Swiss Army could draw inspiration from these experiences to improve the mana...

Punti chiave

Concrete actions To address the increase in costs, the Swiss army could consider various concrete actions. First of all, it is essential to review the planning and use of horses. As suggested by the Federal Audit Court, better planning could reduce the number of animals needed and optimize resources. This could include reducing the number of operational riding horses or increasing the use of already available horses. ### Optimization procedures 1. Review tender contracts: The Swiss army could negotiate new tender contracts for the materials and services necessary for horse management. This could include finding cheaper suppliers or signing long-term agreements to ensure stable prices. 2. Update tariffs: Tariffs for services and materials had not been updated for 20 years. Updating the tariffs could better reflect current costs and ensure more efficient resource management. 3. Implement more efficient training programs: The Swiss army could develop more efficient training programs to reduce the number of days horses are used. This could include training multiple riders simultaneously or using simulation technologies to reduce the need for real horses. 4. Reduce the number of horses: If possible, the Swiss army could reduce the number of operational riding horses and young horses in training. This could be done gradually, replacing older horses with mechanical means or other technologies. ### Useful tools For cross-border workers who want to delve deeper into the implications of these decisions, the salary calculator can be used to compare the costs and benefits of different management options. Additionally, the permit comparator can be useful to understand how the decisions of the Swiss army may influence job opportunities and employment conditions for cross-border...

Punti chiave

[{"q":"What is the current number of horses in the Swiss army?","a":"The Swiss army currently has 51 operational riding horses and another 19 young horses still in training."},{"q":"What are the main causes of the increase in costs?","a":"The main causes of the increase in costs are the rise in prices of feed, bedding, horseshoes, and medicines, as well as the increase in salaries of specialized personnel."},{"q":"What does the Federal Audit Court suggest to reduce costs?","a":"The Federal Audit Court suggests better planning to reduce the number of animals needed and optimize resources, highlighting a potential for savings that has so far been unexplored."}]

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