Switzerland wants to join the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI). According to a statement from the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDBS), the armaments chief Urs Loher has signed a request for membership for the attention of the chairman of the ESSI. The Swiss Federal Council had previously made the decision to participate.
The accession process to ESSI stipulates that all states that have signed a declaration of intent can apply for membership at any time. Switzerland had already concluded the declaration of intent and an additional declaration on neutrality reservations on July 7, 2023. On April 10, 2024, the Federal Council decided to join and authorized the DDPS to sign the declaration of membership. Parliament's Foreign Policy and Security Policy Commissions had previously given their approval.
The chairman of ESSI will now present the Swiss application for membership to all member states. The member states have two months to express their consent or their justified reservations. If no reservations are registered, Switzerland can sign the ESSI Cooperative Procurement Framework Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on which ESSI is based.
ESSI is a European defense project aimed at strengthening and harmonizing the air defense systems of participating countries. The initiative was launched by Germany and covers several European countries. The main objective of the ESSI is to improve the air defense capabilities of the participating countries. This is to be achieved through the integration of modern and interoperable air defense systems. The ESSI is intended to contribute to increasing collective security in Europe and improving the ability to respond to threats from the air, such as missile and drone attacks. Joint procurement and development of defense systems are intended to reduce costs and create synergies.
ESSI promotes the joint development and procurement of air defense systems to increase interoperability and effectiveness. The technologies envisaged include missile defense systems, radar systems and other modern air defense facilities. In addition to Germany, the following countries have so far taken part in the initiative: Belgium, Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, Great Britain, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Hungary.
Editor / whs
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