Changes

The armed forces are organized in four army corps and an air force and are equipped with modern, sophisticated, and well-maintained gear. In 1993, the Swiss Government procured 34 [[F/A-18 Hornet|F/A-18 fighters]] from the United States.

The armed forces are organized in four army corps and an air force and are equipped with modern, sophisticated, and well-maintained gear. In 1993, the Swiss Government procured 34 [[F/A-18 Hornet|F/A-18 fighters]] from the United States.

Switzerland has a rich history of providing mercenaries to the battlefield of Europe, ever since the Middle Ages up until the Napoleonic period. Nowadays Swiss citizens are forbidden to join foreign armies, with the notable exception of the Pontifcial Swiss Guard (''Guardia Svizzera Pontificia'') which constitutes the tiny armed forces of [[Vatican City|the State of the Vatican City]]. In order to join, Swiss male citizens must have a proven Catholic faith and a certificate of good conduct from the Army, besides meeting physical criteria.

Switzerland has a rich history of providing mercenaries to the battlefield of Europe, ever since the Middle Ages up until the Napoleonic period. Nowadays Swiss citizens are forbidden to join foreign armies, with the notable exception of the Pontificial Swiss Guard (''Guardia Svizzera Pontificia'') which constitutes the tiny armed forces of [[Vatican City|the State of the Vatican City]]. In order to join, Swiss male citizens must have a proven Catholic faith and a certificate of good conduct from the Army, besides meeting physical criteria.

During the [[Cold War]], Switzerland had plans to build [[nuclear weapon]]s. Detailed plans were produced, and Switzerland had a storage of [[uranium]] and unsuccessfully tried to purchase [[plutonium]]. However, the [[Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons]], signed in 1969 and ratified in 1977, seemed to be a better alternative, and the program wound down until it was dissolved in 1988.<ref>Edwards, Rob (May 25, 1996). [https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg15020310-500-swiss-planned-a-nuclear-bomb/ Swiss planned a nuclear bomb]. ''New Scientist''. Retrieved September 9, 2016.</ref><ref>[http://nuclearweaponarchive.org/Nwfaq/Nfaq7-4.html 7.4 States Formerly Possessing or Pursuing Nuclear Weapons]. ''nuclearweaponarchive.org''. Retrieved September 9, 2016.</ref><ref>[http://nuclearweaponarchive.org/Library/Swissdoc.html Swiss Nuclear Program]. ''nuclearweaponarchive.org''. Retrieved September 9, 2016.</ref>

During the [[Cold War]], Switzerland had plans to build [[nuclear weapon]]s. Detailed plans were produced, and Switzerland had a storage of [[uranium]] and unsuccessfully tried to purchase [[plutonium]]. However, the [[Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons]], signed in 1969 and ratified in 1977, seemed to be a better alternative, and the program wound down until it was dissolved in 1988.<ref>Edwards, Rob (May 25, 1996). [https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg15020310-500-swiss-planned-a-nuclear-bomb/ Swiss planned a nuclear bomb]. ''New Scientist''. Retrieved September 9, 2016.</ref><ref>[http://nuclearweaponarchive.org/Nwfaq/Nfaq7-4.html 7.4 States Formerly Possessing or Pursuing Nuclear Weapons]. ''nuclearweaponarchive.org''. Retrieved September 9, 2016.</ref><ref>[http://nuclearweaponarchive.org/Library/Swissdoc.html Swiss Nuclear Program]. ''nuclearweaponarchive.org''. Retrieved September 9, 2016.</ref>