Swiss Government intends to participate in the European Sky Shield air defence umbrella, the government said on Tuesday, a move which critics say is incompatible with the country’s long-standing tradition of neutrality.
European Sky Shield is a common air defence scheme set up by Germany in 2022 to boost European air defence, an issue which has come into sharper focus since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Swiss Defence Minister Viola Amherd is due to sign a declaration of intent to join the programme during a meeting with her counterparts from Austria and Germany on Friday.
Some 17 European countries have so far signed up to the Sky Shield project including Germany, Britain, Finland and Sweden.
Switzerland to Join European Sky Shield Initiative