class=”sc-29f61514-0 fQbOYE”>
The signing will take place during the regular trilateral meeting of the defense ministers of Germany, Austria and Switzerland. In addition to Defense Minister Viola Amherd (61), German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (63) and his Austrian counterpart Klaudia Tanner (53) also participate. Austria also joins the European Sky Shield initiative. The project wants to stretch a kind of protective shield over Europe to close gaps in air defense.
Participation is also possible for neutral states in many areas, as announced in advance by the Federal Public Service Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS). The two neutral states of Switzerland and Austria have set out their reservations under the neutrality law in an additional statement.
VBS anticipates cost savings
This excludes, for example, participation in international military conflicts, as the DDPS wrote. Each country can determine the degree of participation in the air shield.
Following the declaration of intent, Switzerland is investigating in which areas cooperation can be strengthened. The VBS cites the ground-based air defense system (Bodluv) Patriot as an example. Synergies could be used there, for example in the exchange of information, but also in operation and training. The DDPS expects cost savings as a result.
Example Israel
The initiative for the so-called European Sky Shield came from EU and NATO country Germany in August 2022 and currently includes 17 countries. The background is the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Sky Shield aims to close existing gaps in the protective shield for Europe. The model is the Israeli Iron Dome.
The association “Pro Switzerland”, which advocates an independent security policy in Switzerland, and its political opponent, the group for a Switzerland without an army (GSoA), are outraged by Amherd’s latest plans. Both see Switzerland’s neutrality threatened by participation in “Sky Shield”. (SDA/oco)
Source:Blick
I am Liam Livingstone and I work in a news website. My main job is to write articles for the 24 Instant News. My specialty is covering politics and current affairs, which I’m passionate about. I have worked in this field for more than 5 years now and it’s been an amazing journey. With each passing day, my knowledge increases as well as my experience of the world we live in today.
