Swiss Chief of Defense: We are not in a position to defend our country

Swiss Chief of Defense Thomas Suessli stated that Switzerland does not have the capacity to defend itself against a full-scale attack and called for an increase in defense spending. Suessli made these remarks in an interview with the Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ) newspaper.In theinterview, the country's critical infrastructureagainst "state-external actors" bycarriedoutprepared for potential attacks and cyberattacks, but that the army still faces seriousequipment shortages.Suessli, who will leave hispost at the end of the year,said,"We are not in a position to defend our country against threats that may come from afar or against a full-scaleattack."

Russia's invasion of UkrainecomprehensiveFebruary 24, 2022, the date when the attacks began, very clear linesrecalling that, Suessli stated, "Our people and politiciansshould not fall into the belief that our army has defense capabilities when itdoes not, as if it did.In realityin a real emergency, onlyone-third of our soldierswould befully equipped is asituation that is trulyextremely difficult to bear," he said.

"There are only two countries between us and Ukraine."

Addressing the reasons why theinvasion of Ukraine did notcause a large-scaleshock in Switzerland, Suessli attributed this to the fact that the country's lastwar was 180 years ago, and thatSwitzerlandSwitzerland's geographical remotenessfrom conflict and the country's neutrality policies. He pointed out that the belief that Switzerland is far from the warin Ukraine is not accurate. Suessli noted, "Between us and Ukrainethere are only two countries; Hungary and Austria," he said.

"Neutrality only has value to the extent that it can bedefended with arms."

He also countered the perception that neutrality provides automatic protection. Suessli, who emerged, stated, "There are many neutral countries that are unarmed and being dragged into war. Neutrality only has value to the extent that it can be defended with arms."

Switzerland's defense expenditure forecasted increases are insufficient in the face of current threats, the Chief of Defense argued, adding that the Swiss army's current pointing out that under the current conditions, it could be fully ready by around 2050, adding, "Considering the current threat, this period istoo long" he said.

The Swissarmy's defense spendingplan

Switzerland, currentlyThe country's gross domestic product, which is ata level of 0.7 percent for defense expenditures, is committed to raising it to the 1percent level by2032. Defense expenditIncreasing itsdefense, Switzerlandis modernizing its artillery and other ground combat systems and replacing aging fighterjetswith F-35A type fighterjets.However, the plan, which is facing cost overruns, is putting a strain on the statebudget.in the tightperiod,some expenditures are being questioned andare facingcriticism.

News Source: İHA