The head of the Swiss armed forces, Thomas Süssli, stated that the country is critically unprepared for large-scale military threats. According to him, the army is currently only capable of countering cyberattacks and attacks on infrastructure by non-state actors. Süssli's words are reported by Reuters, writes UNN.
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Süssli emphasized that in a real emergency, only a third of Swiss soldiers would be fully equipped. Despite plans to modernize artillery and purchase F-35A fighter jets, the army faces significant gaps in equipment and a budget deficit.
We cannot defend ourselves against threats from a distance or even against a full-scale attack on our country
Criticism of neutrality and rearmament pace
The head of the army noted that there is a false belief in Swiss society that neutrality guarantees security. He emphasized that neutrality is only valuable when the country can defend it with weapons.
Currently, Switzerland spends about 0.7% of its GDP on defense and plans to increase this figure to only 1% by 2032. At this rate, the armed forces will be fully ready for war only by 2050. Süssli called this deadline unacceptable given Russia's efforts to destabilize Europe.
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