The Swiss people will vote on the purchase of new combat aircraft on September 27. Defense Minister Viola Amherd opened the poll on Friday. She argues with the constantly deteriorating security situation.
Rising tensions between the major powers, armed conflicts, the terrorist threat, the weakening of international organizations, cyber attacks and, last but not least, the pandemic: Covid-19 had made it clear that calm and stable situations could quickly turn the opposite, said Amherd before the Bundeshaus media.
Because such threats cannot be foreseen, Switzerland needs a security system that allows the necessary measures to be taken depending on the threat. “This includes protecting the population from aerial attacks,” said the Minister of Defense.
“None of us knows what will happen tomorrow, we saw that in the Corona crisis,” said army chief Thomas Süssli after. But the task of the army is known. According to Süssli, this includes maintaining air sovereignty for several weeks, even in times of increased tension.
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