Charles Q. Brown Jr. and Peter Merz appeared before the media at the Payerne air base in western Switzerland, where they stressed the need for Western countries to boost security cooperation.
“Recent events underscore the importance of working together to strengthen our strategic partnerships in order to meet our shared security requirements,” Brown told journalists, referring to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Merz said that cooperation between non-NATO member Switzerland and the US on security affairs was to “enter into a new era” with the planned Swiss purchase of 36 F-35A fighter jets from US company Lockheed-Martin.
The CHF6 billion ($6.37 billion) credit for the deal was narrowly approved by Swiss voters in 2020, but it has since become subject to debate after left-wing campaigners started gathering signatures to force another ballot.
And since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the issue of the jets – as well as of Swiss defence policy in general – has been debated even further, with left-wing disarmament calls countered by suggestions to give a bigger budget to the army.
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Swiss defence minister repeats calls for stronger army
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The Swiss armed forces need to be boosted and better prepared, argues Defence Minister Viola Amherd. Nato membership however is “not an option”.
Merz said a rejection of the F-35s in a public vote would be the “worst scenario, not for [him] but for the whole of Switzerland, whose airspace would no longer be protected”.
The left-wing opponents, which include the Group for a Switzerland without an Army and the Social Democrats, say the F-35A is an attack plane that is not needed by a neutral country which needs only to police its airspace.
Other European countries are also reportedly preparing to buy the US-made jet for their air forces, including Germany and Finland, raising fears that any delay to the Swiss deal could lead to higher costs or a lost place in the queue.
Brown’s visit – as well as Switzerland’s decision to buy the fighter jets – were planned before the Russian invasion of Ukraine last month. Neither of the two army heads discussed the Ukraine war in detail on Tuesday.
Switzerland commits CHF50 million to combat rural poverty worldwide
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The Federal Council approved a contribution of CHF49.5 million ($54.1 million) for the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
Arrests made in raid against Turkish criminal organisation
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A cross-border raid against a Turkish criminal organisation was conducted, including property searches in cantons Aargau and Zurich.
Up to 4,000 Swiss army soldiers to protect Ukraine peace conference
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The Federal Council has authorised deployment of army personnel for the Ukraine peace conference on the Bürgenstock in June.
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The business association, Swissmem, reports that there are increasing signs that the bottom of the downturn will be reached this year.
Swiss group campaigns against purchase of US fighter jets
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The government’s decision to buy F-35A jets from the US could be challenged in a popular vote if critics get enough signatures.
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