National Council wants half a billion francs more for the army
Keystone-SDA
The Swiss army will have CHF530 million more than expected for armaments investments after a parliamentary chamber approved the increase.
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The House of Representatives pushed through the spending boost despite objections from left-wing and green parties.
The decision means the army should be able to spend CHF 2.7 billion on armaments in the coming year. Some CHF 200 million is earmarked for longer-range ground-based air defense systems (Bodluv).
The House of representatives wants military expenditure to reach 1% of GDP by 2030. Parliamentarians made corresponding increases in the financial plan years 2026 to 2028.
Switzerland ‘needs greater resilience’
The conservative majority prevailed. In geopolitically tense times, it is important to increase spending on defense capabilities, was the tenor.
The Centre and Radical party parliamentary groups also pointed out that the army was not sufficiently well equipped today.
The left-green minority pointed out that the army was only one of many pillars for strengthening security. “International cooperation and peacebuilding are just as crucial,” said Green Liberal parliamentarian Corina Gredig. The balance between the three pillars was at risk because the conservatives wanted to cut back on foreign aid.
Army to become more efficient
The chamber will not decide on spending on international cooperation until Wednesday. In the area of security and justice, it followed the proposals of its Finance Committee with one exception.
According to this, the army should compensate for part of the additional expenditure itself by increasing efficiency. Specifically, by reducing the operating expenses of the armed forces and the Federal Armaments Office (Armasuisse) by a total of CHF50 million.
Parliamentarians also decided on additional revenue. For example, the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security is to generate CHF22 million by charging the cantons for the control of persons by the Border Guard Corps at Geneva and Basel airports.
Translated from German by DeepL/mga
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