National Council wants half a billion francs more for the army
Published: Tuesday, Dec 3rd 2024, 14:30
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Next year, the army will have CHF 530 million more at its disposal for armaments investments than initially planned. The National Council clearly approved a corresponding increase on Tuesday. However, proposals from the left-wing and green parties failed.
The Grand Chamber thus followed the proposal of its Finance Committee. According to this, the army should be able to spend CHF 2.7 billion on armaments in the coming year. CHF 200 million of this is earmarked for the longer-range ground-based air defense system (Bodluv).
The aim of the National Council is for military expenditure to reach one percent of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030. The Grand Chamber made corresponding increases in the financial plan years 2026 to 2028.
"Switzerland must become fit to defend itself"
The conservative majority prevailed. In geopolitically tense times, the tenor was to increase spending on defense capabilities. "It makes no sense to simply pour money into construction sites," argued Sarah Wyss (SP/BS) unsuccessfully.
Roman Bürgi (SVP/SZ) pointed out that investment in the army had been neglected for decades. "Switzerland must become fit to defend itself again." The Center and FDP parliamentary groups also pointed out that the army is not sufficiently well equipped today.
The left-green minority pointed out that the army was only one of many pillars for strengthening security. "International cooperation and peacebuilding are just as crucial," said Corina Gredig (GLP/ZH). The balance between the three pillars was at risk because the conservatives wanted to cut back on foreign aid.
Army to become more efficient
The large chamber will not decide on expenditure in the area of international cooperation (IC) until Wednesday. In the area of security and justice, the National Council followed the proposals of its Finance Committee with one exception.
Accordingly, the army is to compensate for part of the additional expenditure itself by increasing efficiency. Specifically, the National Council reduced the operating expenses of the army and the Federal Armaments Office (Armasuisse) by a total of CHF 50 million.
The upper chamber also approved additional revenue. The Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (BAZG) is to generate CHF 22 million by charging the cantons for border checks carried out by the Border Guard Corps at Geneva and Basel airports.
©Keystone/SDA
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