Swiss army tests weapons systems for long-range defence

Army tests weapons systems for long-range defence Keystone-SDA

The Swiss army is examining the acquisition of weapons systems and ammunition to defend the country’s borders over longer distances. The new means are intended to signal to a potential enemy that an attack would be associated with high costs and risks.

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Army chief Thomas Süssli uses the term “dissuasion” for this, army spokesman Stefan Hofer told the Keystone-SDA news agency on Monday. This means that Switzerland must be able to credibly demonstrate that it is prepared to defend its sovereignty – on the ground, in the air and in cyberspace. The aim is to prevent a potential adversary from carrying out actions against Switzerland. “Being able to defend so as not to have to,” says Hofer. This was first reported by CH-Media newspapers.

According to Hofer, missile artillery systems, but also armed drones, various air-to-ground guided weapons, guided bombs or guided weapons that circle over the target area for a longer period of time without a specific target are possible options for building up such a defence capability. It can be assumed that a combination of the aforementioned means will be necessary. The army did not wish to comment on possible specific weapon systems or ammunition, as this would require political decisions.

The CH-Media newspapers referred specifically to the US AGM-158B-2 JASSM cruise missile. It would be fired from the F-35 fighter aircraft, of which Switzerland has ordered 36. The US, Israel and Australia already possess the cruise missile. Poland, Japan and the Netherlands have been promised it and Finland and Germany have ordered it.

Investments in the ability to fend off attacks against Switzerland outside the country’s borders could be considered in the 2030s. For the period up to 2027, building up the ability to engage targets at a greater distance is not an issue. The current Armed Forces Dispatch for the years 2024 to 2027 calls for investments in ground forces, it continued.

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Translated from German by DeepL/jdp

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