The European air defense initiative “Sky Shield” is on everyone’s lips. 16 NATO countries and Sweden are currently taking part, with Austria and Switzerland to be two neutral countries in the future. A new survey shows that a narrow majority of Austrians are in favor of accession.
When asked whether Austria should join the “European Sky Shield Initiative” (ESSI), which is intended to serve a common European airspace and missile defense system, a slim 52 percent majority is in favor of joining. However, 31 percent reject the project. 16 percent gave no information. This is the result of a current OGM survey for Servus TV.
Women and young people see neutrality in danger
45 percent of Austrians consider Austria’s entry into “Sky Shield” compatible with Austria’s neutrality, but 39 percent say Austria’s neutrality would be broken as a result. 16 percent gave no information. Women and young people in particular see that neutrality is endangered by accession. 1004 online interviews were conducted (variability 3.1 percent based on all respondents).
With Austria and Switzerland, two neutral states also join “Sky Shield”. In an additional statement, both countries expressed their reservations about neutrality. According to the Defense Ministry, it is made clear that Austria will retain its air sovereignty and authority over its own systems. That rules out “someone shooting something over Austria”, according to a spokeswoman.
experts warn
According to experts, Austria’s participation is compatible with neutrality only if the command remains in Austria. Should the command be subordinated to the NATO commander-in-chief, that would no longer be the case. “Austria cannot go along with that, because then the decision will be made by the NATO commander-in-chief in Brussels, not by Austria,” explains European law expert Walter Obwexer. Even with a possible assistance clause, Austria would have to change its constitutional law on neutrality.
In any case, NATO takes a positive view of the “Sky Shield” initiative. “This commitment is all the more important as we witness Russia’s relentless and indiscriminate missile strikes against Ukraine, killing civilians and destroying vital infrastructure,” NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană said last October. “The new assets, which are fully interoperable and integrate seamlessly with NATO’s air and missile defenses, would greatly enhance our ability to defend the Alliance against all air and missile threats.”
In addition to Germany, NATO members Great Britain, Slovakia, Latvia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Finland, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovenia, Estonia and Norway have been involved since October. Denmark and NATO candidate Sweden also joined the project in February. France, Italy, Spain and Poland are not part of the German initiative. Paris does not like non-European technology being purchased. France and Italy want to use the jointly developed SAMP/T system. Poland is also acquiring other systems, such as the British CAMM system.
Source: Krone
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