Audit office warns of risks in army property planning

Switzerland’s Federal Audit Office has warned that gaps in data, strategy and funding could lead to poor investment decisions on military property, SRF reports. The army plans to expand its property portfolio, but the audit found that Armasuisse Immobilien, the defence department’s property management unit, lacks what it needs to plan future construction and upgrades.

The Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport manages 24,000 hectares of land and 6,000 buildings and facilities through Armasuisse Immobilien. The unit maintains them, plans new construction and renovations, and can sell or demolish facilities that are no longer needed. As the army is expected to grow again, its personnel, vehicles, aircraft, equipment and weapons will require more space.

The audit found that Armasuisse Immobilien does not have complete information about its buildings, and that deadlines and responsibilities are unclear. It also lacks strategic decisions on intended use, funding and project priorities. Investment in buildings is running behind schedule, the report said. The audit office recommended better coordination and said standardised construction could make projects more efficient.

The defence department says it will revise its property strategy. Robert Scheidegger of the department said it wants to achieve as much as possible with the available funds, including by better coordinating property projects with arms procurement and potentially using agile project management. Petra Kobler, head of the Armasuisse Immobilien competence centre, said priorities must be set and that work is needed to bring buildings up to date and add further protective structures.