The Sky Shield air defense system initiated by Germany is intended to close gaps in the NATO protective shield for Europe. Now Switzerland and Austria also want to get involved – despite their neutrality.
The neutral states of Switzerland and Austria want to take part in the Sky Shield European air defense system initiated by Germany. Defense Ministers Viola Amherd for Switzerland and Klaudia Tanner for Austria signed a corresponding declaration of intent in Bern at a meeting with their counterpart Boris Pistorius (SPD), who had traveled from Berlin. This means that 19 countries are now involved in the project. Pistorius said: “If the Ukraine war has shown one thing, among many other things, it is that the importance of air defense cannot be overestimated.”
The Essi project (European Sky Shield Initiative) is intended to help close gaps in the NATO protective shield for Europe and thus provide an answer to the changed security situation after the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. The project also includes Germany’s desired purchase of the long-range Israeli Arrow 3 system. There are currently deficits in defending against ballistic missiles that reach great heights on their trajectory, but also in combating drones and cruise missiles.
Neutrality is maintained
Austria and Switzerland see no departure from their neutrality in participating in the project, which also means intensified cooperation with European NATO countries. It was about cooperation in training, maintenance and logistics, it was explained.
“Together with Austria, we have recorded our reservations under neutrality law in an additional declaration, for example to explicitly exclude any participation or involvement in international military conflicts,” said Amherd for Switzerland. Tanner spoke of a historic and important signature for Austria. The step is “an important sign that we are ready to jointly strengthen our air defense in Europe and want to protect our population with this protective shield.”