This is Amherd’s postcard

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The Swiss army is preparing. “We have a clear picture of where we want to go,” army chief Thomas Süssli (56) told the media on Thursday. “Politicians, the population and we want to increase our defense capacity again.”

While Defense Minister Viola Amherd (60) presented wishes for closer cooperation with NATO in Brussels on Wednesday, Süssli promoted the army message 2023 on the weapons site of Thun BE. Wednesday to the security politicians in parliament and Thursday to the media.

Advertising tour set up

The army has organized a tour of a vehicle hall on the Waffenplatz. A Piranha IV is on display there. The 25-tonne wheeled armored vehicle can remove obstacles or clear mines.

A training building planned in Herisau AR can be visited virtually. There is a model of a Patriot missile on display, as well as 12 centimeter Möser grenades.

1.9 billion shopping list

Amherd is allowed to spend about 600 million francs more on the military by 2024 than planned. The Federal Council has increased the four-year payment framework to CHF 21.7 billion. Planned military projects could thus be brought forward.

After the outbreak of war in Ukraine, parliament demanded even higher spending on the army. In 2030, these must rise to at least one percent of gross domestic product. However, for reasons of savings, the Bundesrat wants to give 300 to 800 million francs less annually. Parliament, however, has the last word.

Specifically, the Federal Council is asking Parliament for commitment appropriations totaling CHF 1.9 billion for the 2023 army message. The army’s mail lane has been expanded:

• 300 million: With additional guided missiles for the Patriot air defense system, the airspace above Switzerland should be better protected, for example against short-range missiles.
• 217 million: The tank formations will be fully equipped from 2026 with 24 new Piranha IV wheeled infantry fighting vehicles and 24 mini drones.
• 98 million: The data centers must be equipped with additional hardware for the new Skyview management system.
• 61 million: Additional network and encryption components are required for airspace surveillance and operations management. The delay in the project has led to additional costs.
• 49 million: Additional 12 cm ammunition for the Mörser 16 is intended to fill gaps and increase durability.
• 355 million: The personal equipment and armament of the soldiers must be expanded and renewed. 40,000 pairs of shoes alone cost CHF 5.9 million. In addition, there are safe IT and communication technologies or simulators for training.
• 110 million: Training requires constant new ammunition for personal weapons, machine guns and mortars.
• 150 million: The item can be listed under «Other». This involves building prototypes, testing, drawing up tenders or development orders.
• 555 million: Many military installations have reached the end of their service life and need to be repaired. At the same time, the real estate program includes several new buildings and solar energy systems on an area of ​​17,000 square meters.

Parliament will deal with the army message in the coming months. Then it will become clear whether Federal Councilor Amherd should delete something from her shopping list – or even add something to it.

Source:Blick