Contract before signing: Switzerland joins the European missile defense umbrella

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In Switzerland it is still a state secret. German and Austrian media are already reporting on it. Together with Germany and Austria, Switzerland wants to join the planned “European Sky Shield” this week.

Accordingly, Defense Minister Viola Amherd (61) will sign a letter of intent with her German counterpart Boris Pistorius (63) and Austrian Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner (53) at a meeting in Bern.

The neutrality debate has already begun

Is Switzerland breaking new ground in national defense? As a neutral country, it has always performed this task independently. It is still unclear whether this will change with the new project. Because it is not yet known what the new collaboration should look like in detail. Defense has not yet confirmed or denied Blick.

In our neighboring country Austria, which is also neutral, discussions have already broken out about a possible violation of neutrality, the “Kleine Zeitung” reports.

The model for the “European Sky Shield” is the Israeli “Iron Dome”, which repels rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip with surface-to-air missiles. Accordingly, a satellite-based protective screen should be stretched over Europe to intercept drones, enemy military aircraft and even ballistic missiles.

17 NATO countries involved

For the first time, Austria is delegating part of its defense, in this case the protection of the country against missiles and drones, to a European defense organization with a seat in NATO, Austrian media report. The same would apply to Switzerland.

The project, which is carried out within NATO, involves 17 European countries, including Germany, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, the Baltic States and almost all Eastern European countries such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia and Hungary. So far, France and Poland have not been included.

‘The threat situation has increased enormously’

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer (50) justified participation in the project with the completely changed security situation: “The threat situation has increased enormously due to the Russian offensive war in Ukraine. We must and will take precautions to protect our country from the threat of drone or missile strikes.”

In the case of airspace surveillance, this is best done “together in a European association with other countries”, he also quotes in the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung”.

Secretary of Defense Tanner claims this is compatible with neutrality. However, the “European Sky Shield” will be set up within NATO, which has all systems.

Source:Blick