Military geography and cartography

Geodata plays an important role in every military exercise or operation. In the armed forces it provides an indispensible basis for planning as well as command and control and it forms an important component of most modern weapon systems. 

Geo services for the armed forces
The basis mission of the agency for military geography (MilGeo) includes procurement, production, preparation and distribution of geo-information in analogue and digital form such as maps, aerial or satellite imagery, relief or landscape models. In particular the following services are ensured for military units and administration:

• Production of various military thematic maps such as maps of training areas or general overview maps
  
• The compilation of special maps for operations and exercises
  
• The procurement of geodata from abroad 
  
• The preparation of map data for various software applications.
  

The geo officer of the Armed Forces Joint Staff together with the Institute for Military Geography and the MilKarto of the Federal Office of Topography swisstopo are the contacts for geo concerns within the defence sector. 

Supply of maps 
The national Swiss map supply  of the armed forces is laid down in Regulation 51.024, Organisation of Refresher Courses (ODA) and is guaranteed by swisstopo. All orders are carried out with Form 21.010-1 (PDF, 3244 Kb) .

In order to promote map reading, military personnel has the option to buy national maps at reduced prices during their service.