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‘Swiss army cannot be top everywhere’
The new Army message can be used to respond to known threat scenarios, Amherd explained. In addition, the findings from the war in Ukraine could also be processed here. This makes it possible to cover all exposed skill areas. But: Amherd makes it clear that it is not realistic to be the top in all areas with the available resources.
Closing skills gaps
The Federal Council has defined ten capability areas in which the army must develop in the coming years. Amherd continues that he wants to strengthen defense capacity in the coming years. Today, capacity gaps exist mainly in the areas of leadership and networks, but also in the areas of communication networks and sensors, but also in terms of effectiveness on the ground, in the air, but also in cyberspace and in electromagnetic space . For example, it will be used to purchase anti-tank missiles and radar systems, as well as to technically upgrade the PC-7 training aircraft.
First of all, the key figures over 12 years
Amherd explains that for the first time the Federal Council is presenting key figures to Parliament on the strategic direction of the army over a twelve-year period. In the past, this overall picture was missing from the army message. In concrete terms, this means: Instead of an annual postal note, the Federal Council wants to make long-term plans.
Media conference at 2 p.m
The military is currently battling a powerful enemy: its own finances. In the coming years, money will be so tight that the military will have to beg defense companies to delay payments. Popular public events are canceled for cost-saving reasons.
Now Defense Minister Viola Amherd will present the Army Message 2024 on Wednesday afternoon – and ask for more money. She will appear before the media together with army chief Thomas Süssli and armaments chief Urs Loher. The press conference starts at 2 p.m.
Defense Minister Viola Amherd (61) presented the new army message on Wednesday afternoon.
In it, the Federal Council wants to submit key figures about the strategic direction of the army in twelve years to parliament for the first time. He is also requesting commitment loans totaling 4.9 billion francs for the purchase of army equipment over a period of four years, the armament program 2024 and the real estate program DDPS 2024. He will also approve the army’s payment framework for the years 2025 to 2028 to Parliament. an amount of 25.8 billion francs.
With the Army Message 2024, the Federal Council is more closely involving Parliament in the strategic direction of the army by presenting an army message with key figures for the next twelve years, he said. In future, such a message will be presented to Parliament at the beginning of each parliamentary term.
The focus of parliamentary debates should no longer be on individual arms purchases, but on the capabilities that the army must build or maintain in the long term in order to fulfill its tasks.
Blick reports live from 2 p.m.
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.
