Landesverteidigung

Landesverteidigung is a German term meaning homeland defense. It refers to a defense doctrine that centers on protecting the sovereign territory and its population from external aggression and major crises. The concept emphasizes the integration of military means with civilian resources and institutions to safeguard territory, sustain essential services, and maintain governance during war or severe disruption. It typically involves deterrence, rapid mobilization of forces, and the ability to sustain defense over an extended period.

In Swiss usage, Landesverteidigung is a formal and long-standing element of national defense policy. Switzerland relies on a militia-based army and a broad civil protection system. The doctrine envisions mobilization of reserves, defense of key regions, protection of essential infrastructure, border control, and coordinated civil-military action to ensure continuity of government and services in crises. The aim is to deter aggression by making an attack costly and to preserve the state’s security and resilience in crises.

Beyond Switzerland, Landesverteidigung is used in other German-speaking contexts to denote similar approaches to homeland defense, balancing conventional military activity with civil defense, disaster response, and resilience planning. In modern security discussions it is associated with adapting to hybrid threats, cyber risks, and natural disasters, seeking to protect the population and critical functions even when military conflicts are limited or non-traditional.