The head of the Swiss Armed Forces, Benedikt Roos, has acknowledged that Switzerland is facing “real deficiencies” in its ground-to-air defense systems at a time of worsening global security conditions driven by hybrid warfare and rising geopolitical tensions.
In an interview with RTS, Roos said Switzerland needs stronger security capabilities amid developments in Ukraine, Iran, and other unstable regions.
He warned that Switzerland’s critical infrastructure is of significant importance to Europe, meaning any attack could have serious consequences for continental stability.
A rapidly changing threat environment
Roos emphasized that the international security situation is highly unstable and “can change very, very quickly,” making it difficult to assess the intentions of actors in global conflicts. He cited drone and bombing incidents in regions such as Dubai as examples of emerging risks.
Two main defense priorities
The army chief outlined two key priorities:
- Strengthening air defense systems against long-range missiles and drones
- Countering hybrid threats, especially daily cyberattacks
He stressed that cyber threats in particular have become constant.
“We truly have gaps” in air defense
Roos openly admitted that Switzerland’s ground-based air defense capabilities are insufficient, pointing to procurement delays and rising costs for military equipment.
“We truly have gaps,” he said.
Reform and future personnel needs
He added that the military is also reassessing its personnel structure, as future technologies may reduce the need for large numbers of soldiers.
Roos emphasized that his role is to prepare the armed forces for future challenges, while political authorities decide on budgets and defense policy.
“Politics defines the framework, while my mission is to find the best solutions to equip our soldiers with reliable systems,” he said.
