The air shield launched by Germany could soon include 19 partner countries. After Austria, it is Switzerland’s turn to announce its intention to join the “European Sky Shield” – or “European sky shield” – launched last year by German Chancellor Olaf Sholtz in the context of the war in Ukraine.
This announcement comes ahead of a meeting of defense ministers from Switzerland Viola Amherd, Austria Klaudia Tanner and Germany Boris Pistorius on July 6-7 in Bern.
On this occasion, the defense ministers of the three countries will sign “a declaration of intent regarding the joint acquisition of a European anti-missile shield within the framework of the European Sky Shield initiative (ESSI) as well as an agreement to promote research collaboration in the field of armaments,” the Swiss government said in a statement.
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On July 1, Austria, which is also a neutral country, had already announced its intention to join the German air shield project. Launched by Berlin in October, the so-called “Euro Sky Shield” project is based on the German Iris-T anti-aircraft systems for short-range anti-aircraft defense, the American Patriot for medium-range and the American-Israeli Arrow-3 for air defense. air defense. the long range.
This German initiative has so far attracted 17 countries: 16 NATO members, including the United Kingdom, the Baltic countries or even Belgium, the Netherlands, Finland, Norway, as well as Sweden, a candidate to join the Atlantic Alliance. On the other hand, France, Italy and Poland are not part of it, Paris advocating for a sovereign anti-aircraft defense, with European equipment.
In the press release, Berne argues that each country can define to what extent it participates in the project and stresses that neutral states also have the possibility to participate in this initiative. However, the press release states, “in order to take into account the restrictions linked to the neutrality law, Switzerland and Austria have expressed their reservations in an additional declaration, in particular with a view to excluding any participation or collaboration in international military conflicts.” . . “.
Source: BFM TV
