The Swiss EMP concept of general defense

The Swiss Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) committee, established in 1978 to study large scale effects of EMP, especially of high-altitude nuclear explosions, concluded their findings in an EMP concept. In this concept, embedded in the comprehensive concept of general defense and approved by the federal authorities in 1983, a set of governing principles is outlined to reach the following goals in case of EMP impacts on the country: - Continuation of the government's functions - Assured existence of the population - Maintained capacity of military defense. There is no question about EMP creating damages and imposing severe limitations in many fields. However, by carefully selecting and applying protective measures - required especially for the most essential systems of public information, communications, power generation and distribution, transports etc. - the country gets a real chance to survive EMP situations. To support the concept furthermore a legal regulation has been prepared. Some important issues of the EMP concept are presented.