The head of Switzerland’s armed forces has issued a stark warning, stating that the country is currently unable to defend itself against a full-scale military attack, amid growing security risks linked to Russia and broader instability in Europe.
Speaking to the Swiss newspaper NZZ, Swiss Army Chief Thomas Süssli said that while Switzerland is prepared to deal with non-state actors, cyberattacks, and threats to critical infrastructure, the country faces serious gaps in military equipment and long-range defense capabilities.
“What we cannot do is defend ourselves against threats from a distance or against a full-scale attack on our country,” Süssli said. He is expected to step down from his post by the end of the year.
Severe Equipment Shortages
Süssli described the situation regarding troop equipment as alarming, revealing that only one-third of Swiss soldiers would be fully equipped in a real emergency.
“It is troubling to know that in a genuine crisis, only a third of all soldiers would be properly equipped,” he emphasized.
Defense Spending Under Pressure
Switzerland has begun increasing defense spending, modernizing its artillery and ground systems, and replacing aging fighter jets with Lockheed Martin F-35A aircraft. However, the program has been plagued by cost overruns, prompting criticism amid strained federal finances. Critics have also questioned the scale of planned investments in artillery and ammunition.
Neutrality Does Not Equal Security
Despite Russia’s war in Ukraine and ongoing efforts to destabilize Europe, Süssli noted that public attitudes toward the military in Switzerland have changed little. He attributed this to the country’s geographical distance from conflict, lack of direct war experience, and a misguided belief that neutrality alone guarantees safety.
“This belief is historically incorrect. Several neutral countries that were unarmed were drawn into war. Neutrality only has value if you can defend it with weapons,” Süssli warned.
Long Road to Military Readiness
Switzerland has pledged to gradually increase defense spending to around 1% of GDP by 2032, up from the current 0.7%, a level far below the 5% defense target agreed by NATO members.
At the current pace, the Swiss military is not expected to be fully operational until around 2050, raising concerns about the country’s ability to respond to rapidly evolving security threats in Europe.
