With the threat of Russian aggression moving beyond its invasion of Ukraine and NATO telling its members to have a “wartime mindset,” neutral Switzerland is planning to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to revamp its network of nuclear bunkers. The facilities are part of a law the country passed in 1963 requiring bunker space to be made available for all 9 million of the country’s residents.
The Swiss government will invest nearly $250 million to upgrade the aging spaces. Many of Switzerland’s 370,000 bunkers are now storage rooms or wine cellars. Likewise, many more have fallen into a state of disrepair due to a lack of nuclear threat and general disuse over the years.
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Last week, Reuters followed a Swiss crew inspecting an out-of-date bunker. The crew found grass covering the entrance and a tunnel full of cobwebs inside. Local officials noted this is a common issue, as the bunkers have been a low priority for a long time.
However, they also noted that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine prompted Swiss residents to think more about the bunkers.
The Swiss government plans to inspect both private and public bunkers around the country. Under Swiss law, a private bunker owner has a year to fix their facility or pay roughly $900 per person who would need to use a public shelter.
Switzerland is not a member of NATO but is surrounded by NATO members France, Germany, Italy and non-member ally Austria.
