The government of Switzerland said on Tuesday that it intends to take part in the European Sky Shield air defense umbrella, a decision that critics claim is inconsistent with the nation's long-standing reputation of neutrality.
During a meeting with her counterparts from Austria and Germany on Friday, Swiss Defense Minister Viola Amherd will sign a declaration of intent to participate in the program, as reported by Reuters.
A shared air defense program called European Sky Shield was established by Germany in 2022 to strengthen European air defense, a concern that has gained more attention in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The Sky Shield project currently has the support of 17 European nations, including Germany, Britain, Finland, and Sweden.
By coordinating the purchase of air and missile defense systems like the Patriot missile system, it hopes to reduce costs for the purchasing nations. Additionally, it strives to promote collaboration in logistics, maintenance, and training.
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, neutral Switzerland has come under increasing pressure from its European neighbors to back Ukraine militarily by authorizing the re-export of Swiss-made weapons.
Last week, Bern denied RUAG's proposal to purchase 96 Leopard 1 A5 main battle tanks for deployment in Ukraine. RUAG is a Swiss defense company. Additionally, it has previously overruled pleas from Germany and Denmark to assist Ukraine with armored vehicles and ammunition developed in Switzerland.
The neutrality lobby in Switzerland has expressed worry in response to the Sky Shield action. He expressed fear that the decision would render Switzerland militarily dependent on NATO and other nations, making it a target.
The Sky Shield
The European Sky Shield (ESSI) is a proposed joint air and missile defense system for Europe. It was launched in October 2022 by Germany, and it is currently supported by 17 countries, including 15 NATO members.
The goal of ESSI is to strengthen NATO's Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) system and to provide more comprehensive and integrated air defense for Europe.
ESSI is expected to be a significant investment, but it is also seen as a necessary step to ensure the security of Europe in the face of increasing air and missile threats.
Read also: Russian Lawmaker: Move United Nations Headquarters To Neutral Country Like Switzerland
Swiss Neutrality and Sky Shield
Switzerland is a neutral country, which means that it does not take sides in wars or conflicts. This neutrality has been a cornerstone of Swiss foreign policy for centuries.
Some people argue that joining the Sky Shield initiative would not violate Switzerland's neutrality because it is a defensive system. They argue that the system would only be used to defend against air and missile threats and that it would not be used to attack other countries.
Others argue that joining the Sky Shield initiative would violate Switzerland's neutrality because it would involve cooperation with NATO members. They argue that this cooperation would give NATO a foothold in Switzerland and that it could lead to Switzerland being drawn into a future conflict.
Related article: Dropping of Switzerland Neutrality Urges the Pro-Ukraine Shift
