Archive · 27 Dec 2025
Switzerland Unprepared for Full-Scale Attack: Army Chief
Switzerland's Army Chief, Thomas Suessli, has said that the country is not ready to defend itself against a full-scale attack.
He believes that Switzerland needs to spend more money on its military to be prepared for threats from Russia.
Currently, only a third of the soldiers are fully equipped.
The country is planning to increase its defence spending to 1% of GDP by 2032, but the Army Chief thinks this is not enough and too slow.
He also criticized the belief that neutrality protects the country, saying that neutrality only has value if it can be defended with weapons.
In recent months, there have been threats like drones violating airspace and sabotage in Western Europe, which have made the need for a stronger military more urgent.
Switzerland's Army Chief, Thomas Suessli, stated that the country cannot defend itself against a full-scale attack.
Switzerland is increasing defence spending to 1% of GDP by 2032, up from 0.7% currently.
Only a third of Swiss soldiers are fully equipped, highlighting major equipment gaps.
Suessli criticized Switzerland's distance from conflict and the false belief that neutrality offers protection.
Recent threats include drones violating Polish and Romanian airspace and sabotage in Western Europe.
- Who
- Switzerland's Army Chief, Thomas Suessli
- What
- Switzerland's inability to defend against a full-scale attack and the need to boost military spending
- When
- December 27, 2025
- Where
- Switzerland
- Why
- Rising risks from Russia and the need to modernize the military
- Country
- Switzerland
- Current Defence Spending
- 0.7% of GDP
- Target Defence Spending
- 1% of GDP by 2032
- NATO Defence Spending
- 5% of GDP
- Equipment Readiness
- Only a third of soldiers fully equipped
- Army Chief
- Thomas Suessli
- Recent Threats
- Drones violating Polish and Romanian airspace, sabotage in Western Europe
- Military Modernization
- Replacing ageing fighter jets with Lockheed Martin F-35As
