Armed Forces Logistics Organisation

The Armed Forces Logistics Organisation (German: Logistikbasis der Armee, LBA) is the organisational unit within the Defence sector of the Swiss Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (VBS/DDPS) responsible for all logistics tasks of the Swiss Armed Forces. It was established on 1 January 2004, merging the former Federal Office for Army Enterprises and Logistics Brigade 1. The LBA provides material, vehicles and infrastructure for training and operations, maintains operational readiness, develops logistics doctrine, manages the troop budget, and oversees the lifecycle of systems from procurement to decommissioning. It also operates military infrastructure, processes vehicle and driver permits, and provides transport services for the DDPS and the Armed Forces, including representation vehicles and federal drivers. The LBA is structured around five Army Logistics Centres (Hinwil, Othmarsingen, Thun, Monteceneri and Grolley) with their outstations, which ensure the readiness of army material. Additional units include the Medical Service, Army Pharmacy, Logistics Brigade 1, Logistics Command, the LER area, and Defence Support Services, which handle supplementary logistical, technical and administrative tasks. With around 3,000 employees and 12,000 militia members, the LBA ensures the Armed Forces remain ready for deployment at all times. Under its Vision 2030, the LBA is continuously developing its logistics services to meet future requirements in training, operations and crisis situations. The Chief of the Armed Forces Logistics Organisation is Divisionär Rolf A. Siegenthaler, who has held the position since 1 October 2022. The LBA's historical roots trace back to the Old Swiss Confederacy, where soldiers largely brought their own equipment and cantonal authorities provided grain and salt. Over centuries, Swiss military logistics evolved through the creation of a war commissariat in Bern in 1797, a joint Oberkriegskommissariat in 1815, and the logistics structures of Army 61, Army 95 and Army XXI. The LBA represents the latest stage in this evolution, combining centralised logistics services and support for the Defence sector.

The history of Swiss military logistics stretches back to the Old Swiss Confederacy, when soldiers were largely responsible for their own equipment and cantonal authorities provided grain and salt reserves. During campaigns, food and fodder were requisitioned from the local population. In 1797, the canton of Bern established a war commissariat that organised vehicle parks, transport means and horse-changing stations. In 1815, the Confederation created a joint Oberkriegskommissariat, while rear services (park companies, food magazines, hospitals, horse cure facilities) remained with the cantons. During the First World War, the general staff had not stockpiled fuel and spare parts for the 350 requisitioned motor vehicles. From 1918 to 1939, the number of vehicles rose from 2,000 to 18,000. During the Second World War, transport still relied mainly on horses and railways. Army deliveries went by rail to divisional transshipment points and from there by horse-drawn carts to the troops. Logistics infrastructure was decentralised in the Alpine redoubt because the few railway lines and roads did not permit rapid transport. Troops collected their supplies from the nearest logistics base and were only exceptionally supplied directly. After 1945, logistics became part of overall defence (Army, Civil Protection, War Economy). Supply bases served the 'base supply places' (BVP) located close (up to 20 kilometres) to combat units. The logistics formations of Army 61 made up one third of the entire enlisted strength. Combat formations of Army 61 had permanently assigned operational areas. Maintenance, repair and spare parts procurement were the responsibility of the troops (base and specialist workshops). A dense network of BVPs supplied the troops in their operational area (bring principle). Logistics was operational even in peacetime because short warning times were expected. In 1978, available stocks amounted to one tonne per soldier and were stored in 5,500 buildings and underground facilities (including 50 hospitals) of around 100 kilometres in length. In 1969, the 'Untergruppe Logistik' was created, belonging to territorial service. With Army 95, the number of supply places was halved (transition to the fetch principle). Army XXI introduced a mechanised, computer-supported logistics brigade with 13,000 personnel (bring principle). On 1 January 2004, the Armed Forces Logistics Organisation (Logistikbasis der Armee, LBA) was created, incorporating the former Federal Office for Army Enterprises and Logistics Brigade 1. Since 1 October 2022, Divisionär Rolf A. Siegenthaler has been Chief of the LBA. Under Vision 2030, the LBA continues to develop its logistics services to meet future requirements.

• 2022

  Divisionär Rolf A. Siegenthaler becomes Chief of the LBA on 1 October.

• 2004

  Armed Forces Logistics Organisation (LBA) created on 1 January, merging the former Federal Office for Army Enterprises and Logistics Brigade 1.

• 1995

  Army 95 halves the number of supply places, transitioning to the fetch principle.

• 1978

  Available stocks amount to one tonne per soldier, stored in 5,500 buildings and underground facilities.

• 1969

  Creation of the 'Untergruppe Logistik' within territorial service.

• 1945

  Logistics becomes part of overall defence (Army, Civil Protection, War Economy).

• 1918

  Number of motor vehicles in the army begins to rise from 2,000 (1918) to 18,000 (1939).

• 1815

  The Confederation creates a joint Oberkriegskommissariat; rear services remain with the cantons.

• 1797

  War commissariat established in the canton of Bern to organise vehicle parks, transport and horse-changing stations.

Central logistics provider for the Swiss Armed Forces, ensuring operational readiness through material, vehicle and infrastructure management.

• Army Logistics Centres (ALC)

  Five centres (Hinwil, Othmarsingen, Thun, Monteceneri, Grolley) ensuring readiness of army material.

• Logistics Brigade 1

  Logistics brigade within the LBA.

• Army Pharmacy

  Pharmacy services for the armed forces.

• Medical Service

  Medical services for the troops.

• Defence Support Services

  Supplementary logistical, technical and administrative tasks.

1. 1Logistikbasis der Armeevtg.admin.ch
2. 2Logistikbasis der Armee - Wikipediade.wikipedia.org
3. 3Armed Forces Logistics Organisation - Wikidatawikidata.org