The Swiss government on Friday urged voters to maintain the country’s compulsory military service when they head to the polls next month for a referendum on the issue.

If the Swiss approve a motion to end conscription in the September 22 vote, they will be putting Switzerland “in great peril,” the government warned in a statement.

It said that without compulsory service the Swiss military “will no longer be able to fulfill its current tasks,” pointing out that what gets done will depend on how many “skilled people volunteer to serve in the army.”