Zurich Defense Minister (Reuters), Martin Pfister, urged Swiss legislators to move forward with the loosening of arms exports to help boost international security cooperation, since he warned about the potential risks faced by the neutral country.
In February, the Government proposed relaxing restrictions in arms exports to reinforce its national ties and security ties, a sensitive movement for a country that has blocked the re -exporter of its weapons and ammunition to Ukraine.
In an interview with the New Zeitung newspaper published on Thursday, the day Pfister will meet with his German counterpart Boris Pistorius, the minister said that the Swiss position restrictive undermined the “trust” with its security partners.
“That is why it is important that Parliament continue to advance with the planned review of the War Materials Law: we must ensure that Switzerland is a reliable partner,” he said.
Pfister highlighted the risk of cyber attacks and drone incursions, and said there was “great need to improve” in defense capabilities to deal with the latter.
Switzerland would soon propose an appropriate system for that purpose, he added.
Pfister was also asked how NATO would react if Switzerland were attacked, and observed that, as not a member of the Alliance, Switzerland is potentially vulnerable to blackmail.
“Drones attacks can also cause great damage,” he said. “Therefore, Switzerland must be able to cooperate with other armed forces. Stable relationships are important.”
Pfister also addressed the Swiss purchase order for F-35 US combat aircraft after the questions began to turn about whether the Swiss could buy less of them due to an increase in costs.
For now, buying 36 planes still made sense, he said.
(Write by Dave Graham, Miranda Murray edition)
(Tagstotranslate) Arms exports
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