Army's shopping list after budget boost

Friday, 1 July 2022 06:30

The army has come up with its shopping list after parliament upped the defence budget by CHF 300m a year following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The head of the armed forces, Thomas Süssli, has presented a rough purchasing plan up until 2035.

In addition to more assault rifles and machine guns, the army would like updated missiles for the Patriot Air Defence System, more armoured vehicles, long range surface to surface missiles, mini drones and a new radar system.

Longer term the army says it wants to update its helicopter fleet.

The list received broad agreement in parliament. The head of the security commission for the State Council, Werner Salzmann, says it’s a ‘sensible investment’.

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