Image source: topwar.ru
For centuries, the Swiss authorities have been making every effort to remain neutral and not take part in any armed conflicts, and this does not contradict the country's presence of a powerful and modern army. Currently, due to the growing instability in the world, neutral Switzerland is significantly increasing its defense budget.
Such plans were announced to journalists by the country's Defense Minister Viola Amerd at her joint press conference with Army Commander Thomas Sussley in front of the parliament building in Bern.
The Swiss government was prompted to take this step by the armed conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. This country, like many others in Europe, began to pay less attention to defense after the collapse of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Cold War.
Viola Amerd, who also serves as the country's president this year, said that the last thirty years have significantly weakened the Swiss army, so now we will have to catch up. At the same time, she explained that her words should not be taken as a reproach against anyone, but only as a statement of fact.
Amerd said that defense spending for the period from 2025 to 2028 will amount to 25.8 billion Swiss francs (approximately $29 billion), compared with 21.7 billion francs ($24.7 billion) spent on defense in the previous four-year period. Thus, the defense budget will grow by 19 percent.
Most of these additional funds will be used for the purchase of military equipment, modernization of weapons and construction of infrastructure facilities.
Image source: topwar.ru
Ultimately, the Swiss government intends to increase the share of military spending to one percent of national GDP by 2035.