Zurich soldiers complete demobilization after returning equipment

1,867 soldiers from the canton of Zurich completed their military service during a demobilization week in Birmensdorf, Switzerland.

The cantonal military administration and the Hinwil army logistics center coordinated the process between 2 and 6 November 2026. During this five day period, the soldiers returned over 30 tonnes of equipment, including uniforms, weapons, helmets, and protective masks. Organizers used a district based system to process several hundred demobilizations each day.

Members of the Zurich State Council held daily ceremonies to mark the conclusion of the service. Mario Fehr, the director of cantonal security, spoke at the final gathering to officially release the soldiers. He described the period of service as one full of accomplishments. Each individual returned personal gear that weighed up to 41 kilos depending on their specific roles.