Now Switzerland also wants to participate in the European ground-based air defense system “Sky Shield”. Defense Minister Viola Amherd will sign a corresponding letter of intent in Bern on Friday. Participation in many areas is also possible for neutral states, the Ministry of Defense explains.
The signing will take place during the regular trilateral meeting of the defense ministers of Germany, Austria and Switzerland in Bern. In addition to Amherd, Defense Secretary Klaudia Tanner and her German counterpart Boris Pistorius will also participate.
Reservation under neutrality law
The neutral states of Switzerland and Austria stated their reservations under the neutrality law in an additional statement. This excludes, for example, participation in international conflicts, as the Foreign Ministry of Bern wrote. Each country can thus decide for itself the extent of its participation in the air shield.
Following the declaration of intent, Switzerland is investigating in which areas cooperation can be strengthened. The State Department cites the Patriot ground-based air defense system as an example.
Currently 17 countries included
The “European Sky Shield” initiative was launched in August 2022 by the EU and NATO country Germany and currently includes 17 countries. It aims to better coordinate procurement projects for ground-based air defense and, if necessary, to bundle them.
NATO members Britain, Slovakia, Latvia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Finland, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovenia, Estonia and Norway are involved. Denmark and NATO candidate Sweden also joined the project in February.
Against the background of the Russian attack on Ukraine, Sky Shield is intended to help close existing gaps in the current protection shield for Europe. The model is the Israeli Iron Dome.
Source: Krone
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