Develop defense associations while preserving its neutrality: Switzerland is advancing in the Forced march in a tense international context.
The Swiss government wishes to conclude a security and defense association with the European Union, he said on Wednesday, saying that this would not go against his neutrality.
This announcement occurs two days after the signing of such agreement between the EU and Canada, and the same day an NATO summit opens, an organization of which Switzerland is not part.
During the meeting of his day, the Federal Council (Government) “decided to begin exploratory discussions with the EU on a security and defense association,” he said in a statement.
Great Britain signed a similar defense association in May, and Australia and the EU announced last week that negotiations for another association had begun.
According to the Swiss government, this association is “an essential condition for the realization of common acquisitions in the field of armaments.” He also believes that he would be “compatible with the principle of neutrality of Switzerland and can help strengthen his defense capacity.” The statements of intention are advisable from a legal point of view.
The Federal Defense Department, Population and Sports Protection (DDPS) indicates that “Switzerland has all the interest in strengthening its cooperation with the EU, especially in the field of armaments.”
Located in the heart of Europe, Switzerland is not part of the EU, nor NATO. The defense budget for the year 2025 was reviewed upwards, to 1.7 billion Swiss francs (1.8 billion euros), with the aim of reaching 1% of GDP in 2032.
The global geopolitical tensions, in particular the war in Ukraine, give birth among the Swiss the desire for greater cooperation with NATO, according to a survey published on June 17 by the Department of Federal Defense.
According to this survey, 53% of those questioned were in favor of the approach with NATO, while 32% supported Switzerland to this organization.
New weapons strategy
A week earlier, the Federal Council approved the strategy in the weapons policy, the first of its kind. It should make it possible to “maintain the essential industrial base for defense (…) and strengthen the entire technological and industrial base for security”, as well as promote R&D and innovation.
One of the objectives is to increase the participation of industrial and economic repercussions (compensation): “In the future, 60% of the armament acquisition volume, if possible, will have to be carried out in Switzerland”, but also to approach neighboring/European countries and succeed in “recovering its state as a reliable supplier in European eyes.”
This industrial strategy also aims to make Switzerland a country “more attractive as an international partner.”
The Swiss armament industry suffers a deficit of interest from international partners, particularly due to a very strict export policy. It is this rule that, for example, decided Germany to give up obtaining equipment made in Switzerland, after the veto established at reexport request to Ukraine, RTS explained in March.
According to the data of the Secretary of State for the economy of the Secretary of State (DRY), in 2024, the Swiss companies exported 664.7 million Swiss francs to 60 countries (around 710 million euros), approximately 5% compared to the previous year. Germany remains, however, the first importing country of product defense equipment in Switzerland (203.8 million Swiss francs), far ahead of the United States (76.1 million).
The big names of the Swiss industrialists involved in the production of armaments include Mowag (vehicles, general dynamics), Pilatus (plans), Sig Sauer (Firearms) and especially Ruag (ammunition), arrested by the Confederation and that is subject to fraud and management problems.
Source: BFM TV
