Tackling the WEF Security Disposition
The army's preparations for the 50th Annual Meeting of the WEF 2020 in Davos have begun, and the security arrangements are being put in place.
To ensure security at the World Economic Forum (WEF), the army is also deployed in addition to the police forces. In particular, the air force is responsible for the security of the airspace. With permanently patrolling, armed fighter jets (during conference times), ground-based air defense, additional radars, increased airspace surveillance and air police service around the clock and throughout Switzerland, security in the airspace is taken into account, as the DDPS writes.
Surveillance flights and air transports
In addition, the air force will also carry out surveillance flights and air transport for the benefit of the canton of Graubünden. During the WEF in Davos, air traffic will be continuously restricted from January 20 to 25, 2020, in the Davos area in a zone of about 46 km (radius 25 nautical miles), centered on Davos - over Swiss, Austrian, Liechtenstein and Italian territory. According to the DDPS, approaches and departures to regional airfields and heliports are governed by special rules and procedures drawn up by the Air Force in cooperation with the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA). All flights are subject to approval.
This year, WEF visitors (VIP) will again be able to land directly at Dübendorf and continue their journey to Davos by private helicopter or by land. At the military airfield in Dübendorf, people checks and customs clearances will therefore be carried out in accordance with Schengen requirements, according to the military department.
Also 5000 Ada in use
Members of the armed forces (AdA) are also deployed. Parliament has set an upper limit of 5,000 AdA for this. Only some of them will be deployed in Davos itself during the annual meeting. The remaining part protects infrastructure facilities outside Davos and provides services in the areas of logistics and command support.
The deployment of the Armed Forces is based on the principle of subsidiarity: the responsibility for deployment lies with the civilian authorities of the Canton of Graubünden, except for the preservation of air sovereignty. The overall operation commander is the commander of the Cantonal Police Graubünden, Colonel Walter Schlegel. The Chief of Operations and Deputy Chief of the Armed Forces, Corps Commander Aldo C. Schellenberg, leads the deployment of the military formations deployed at the WEF.
Source: VBS
