Switzerland plans to cut its permanent army by a third in around a decade, Defence Minister Ueli Maurer said in an interview published Sunday.
"Today, we have 120,000 full-time soldiers and 80,000 reservists. In 10 to 12 years, the army will consist of 80,000 full-time and 40,000 reserve soldiers," Maurer told weekly newspaper SonntagsZeitung.
Cuts will also be made to heavy weapons, artillery and tanks in a bid to modernise the force, he said.
"Times have changed," Maurer said, adding that a war in Europe involving armoured vehicles was unlikely.
"Our army must become the most modern possible and be well-equipped and -trained," he said.
The defence minister, a member of the right-wing Swiss People's Party, added the reductions would begin in five or six years.
Switzerland has not been directly involved in an armed conflict since the 19th century.
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