Switzerland's Military: Can It Handle a Big Attack?

Switzerland's military leader has some tough things to say. He thinks the country isn't ready for a full-blown attack.

The Current State of Readiness

Thomas Suessli, stepping down as the head of Switzerland's armed forces, shared his thoughts in an interview. He stated that while Switzerland can handle smaller threats like cyber attacks or attacks on important buildings, it's not prepared for a large-scale invasion.

Key Issues Highlighted

• Equipment Shortages: Only about a third of soldiers have all the equipment they need.
• Military Improvements: Switzerland is trying to improve its military by spending more money, updating old weapons, and buying new fighter jets.
• Public Attitudes: Many people in Switzerland don't see the military as a priority.
• Neutrality Misconceptions: Some believe neutrality means they won't be attacked, but history shows otherwise.

Future Plans and Challenges

Switzerland plans to slowly increase its military spending to about 1% of its GDP by around 2032. Currently, it's at about 0.7%, much lower than the 5% that NATO countries have agreed to. At this slow pace, the Swiss military won't be fully ready until around 2050. Suessli thinks this is too slow given the current threats.