Sat Dec 27 17:00:14 UTC 2025: News Article:

Swiss Military Chief Warns of Defense Gaps, Urges Increased Spending Amid Russian Threat

Zurich, Switzerland – December 27, 2025 – Switzerland’s top military official, Thomas Suessli, issued a stark warning today, stating that the country’s armed forces are not adequately equipped to defend against a full-scale attack, particularly in light of escalating risks stemming from Russia.

In an interview published in NZZ newspaper on Saturday, Mr. Suessli, who is retiring at the end of the year, acknowledged Switzerland’s preparedness against “non-state actors” and cyber warfare, but emphasized significant equipment shortages hindering the military’s ability to defend against a major invasion. He expressed concern that only a third of Swiss soldiers would be fully equipped in a real emergency.

Switzerland is currently undertaking efforts to modernize its military, including increasing defense spending, upgrading artillery and ground systems, and replacing older fighter jets with Lockheed Martin F-35As. However, the plan faces cost overruns and criticisms about spending priorities amidst strained federal finances.

Mr. Suessli lamented the lack of public urgency regarding defense, attributing it to Switzerland’s geographic distance from the conflict in Ukraine, a lack of recent war experience, and a perceived false sense of security provided by neutrality. “Neutrality only has value if it can be defended with weapons,” he asserted.

While Switzerland has committed to gradually increasing defense spending to 1% of GDP by 2032, a level still significantly below NATO’s 5% target, Mr. Suessli warned that at the current pace, the Swiss military would not be fully prepared until 2050, a timeline he deemed “too long given the threat.”

Summary of the Text:

The head of Switzerland’s armed forces, Thomas Suessli, stated that Switzerland’s military is not prepared to defend against a full-scale attack, particularly from Russia. While prepared for threats from non-state actors and cyberattacks, the military faces significant equipment gaps. Despite ongoing modernization efforts, including increased defense spending, Suessli argues that progress is too slow and public urgency is lacking. He emphasizes that neutrality is only effective if it can be defended militarily.

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