Chief of Armaments Loher emphasizes the advantages of joining Sky Shield
Published: Saturday, Oct 19th 2024, 13:00
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Following Switzerland's accession to "Sky Shield", Swiss armaments chief Urs Loher has emphasized the advantages of the European air defence initiative. "It is undisputed that it will be cheaper if several people join forces and buy larger quantities," Loher said on SRF Radio's Saturday show.
Switzerland could also benefit from the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI) with regard to the urgent procurement of a ground-based air defense system (Bodluv), according to experts. The head of Armasuisse signed Switzerland's declaration of accession to the ESSI last Thursday. Switzerland is now the 15th member of the European air defense initiative launched by Germany in 2022.
The purpose of "Sky Shield" is to close gaps in the current protective shield for Europe against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine. The Israeli Iron Dome is the model for this. The initiative aims to better coordinate air defense procurement projects and facilitate further cooperation.
It is clear that Switzerland "will buy the air defense system that the Alliance offers", Loher continued. The advantage of the initiative is that we ultimately have the freedom to choose whether we want to conclude the corresponding contracts via ESSI or directly with the manufacturers.
Loher rejected the idea that Germany was "pushing" Switzerland into an alliance. According to the head of armaments, it would not be a problem for Switzerland to withdraw from a deal if a partner state in the field of armaments were to enter into an armed conflict - and thus become a problem for Switzerland's neutrality policy.
There is no political price. Switzerland alone decides. "We are completely free in what we procure, how we procure it and whether we procure it at all," said Loher.
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