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Switzerland wants to join the European air defense system “Sky Shield”. Defense Minister Viola Amherd signed a corresponding letter of intent in Bern on Friday. This does not jeopardize neutrality, she said.

“Any participation in international conflicts is expressly excluded,” Amherd told the media in Bern. Like Austria, Switzerland has set out its reservations about neutrality in an additional statement. Each country can determine the degree of participation in the air shield.

The letter of intent was signed at the annual trilateral meeting of the defense ministers of Germany, Austria and Switzerland. In addition to Amherd, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and his Austrian colleague Klaudia Tanner were also present. Austria also wants to join “Sky Shield”.

Cost savings as a goal

Following the declaration of intent, Switzerland is investigating in which areas cooperation can be strengthened. Leading up to the signing, the DDPS cited the ground-based air defense system (Bodluv) called “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.

Against the background of Russia’s offensive war against Ukraine, the German-initiated “European Sky Shield Initiative” aims to help close gaps in the current NATO protection shield for Europe. For example, there are shortages in the field of ballistic missiles, which reach great heights in their trajectory, but also in the field of defense against drones and cruise missiles. More than a dozen European countries have already joined the project.

tighter alignment

In its supplementary report to the security policy report of September 2022, the Federal Council concluded that defense policy should focus more than before on international cooperation and that participation in this should be expanded. This also includes the “promotion of research cooperation in the armaments sector”.

In March, during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels, Amherd explained her specific wishes for increased cooperation between Switzerland and the Defense Alliance. Stoltenberg confirmed to her that NATO is open to this, she said afterwards.

Amherd said on Friday that Switzerland wants to coordinate its procurement projects more closely with its European partners. She cited the huge deterioration in the security situation as the reason – the situation in Ukraine, Sudan, Kosovo, Mali, Taiwan, Syria, Yemen and Afghanistan is tense. “Collaboration is therefore more important than ever,” said Amherd.

«Solutions within the scope of what is possible for Switzerland»

In the meeting with the German and Austrian partners, Amherd also pointed out that Switzerland is doing valuable work in and for Ukraine, even though it cannot supply arms. But the federal government helps with mine clearance, for example.

She assured her German counterpart that she would continue to work “to the extent possible for solutions for Switzerland,” Amherd said. Parliament is currently discussing the decommissioning of Leopard 2 main battle tanks, which will then be sold back to the German manufacturer.

All in all, according to Amherd, the war in Ukraine does not constitute an “easy political starting point” for Switzerland. It is understandable that parts of neutrality were not universally understood. That is why dialogue is important “so that there is no doubt about our solidarity”. (sda)