Switzerland and Austria have officially joined the European Sky Shield (ESSI) air defense program as they signed a declaration of intent on Friday.
The German-led system followed the Russian military operation in Ukraine, as it is designed to allow European countries to buy defense systems together.
The announcement is being viewed as a historic moment for neutral Switzerland. However, some Swiss fear the step compromises their country’s long-standing neutrality.
Meanwhile, the Swiss government highlighted working with European neighbors on a common system makes both strategic and financial sense.
In the same vein, Austria is a neutral country, and the government in Vienna argues that by pooling military resources it is able to maintain that status.
Nineteen countries signed up for the Sky Shield initiative, including the UK, the Nordic and Baltic countries, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria.
Under the agreement, Switzerland and Austria will keep their neutrality unchanged. They are probably hoping such a situation would never arise.
