Author: Lukas Mäder, Selina Berner (NZZ)
Source: https://www.nzz.ch/schweiz/armeechef-thomas-suessli-die-schweiz-kann-sich-nicht-autonom-verteidigen-sagt-der-abtretende-armeechef-thomas-suessli-ld.1916979
Publication Date: 27.12.2025
Reading Time: approximately 6 minutes
Executive Summary
Outgoing Army Commander Thomas Süssli states with stark clarity in a farewell interview: Switzerland has no autonomous defense capability and is dependent on international cooperation with NATO. In the face of Russian threats, hybrid attacks, and critical underfunding of the armed forces, Süssli warns of the need for faster rearmament – at the current pace, the army would not be operational until 2050. His warning reveals a credibility gap between political assurances and military reality.
Critical Key Questions (Liberal-Journalistic)
Freedom & Sovereignty: Does Süssli's statement not refute the narrative of unconditional Swiss neutrality and independence? What does true freedom mean without autonomous defense capability?
Transparency: Why wasn't the underfunding of the armed forces made public earlier and more clearly? Whom do government embellishments serve?
Responsibility: Does parliament or fiscal policy bear primary responsibility for the armaments deficit – and who is liable in an emergency?
Innovation & Future: Can a militia system with civilian competencies really keep pace with modern warfare technologies (AI, drones, cyber)?
Dependence: Is the F-35 purchase and planned NATO interoperability a gain in security or a loss of freedom of action?
Scenario Analysis: Future Perspectives
| Time Horizon | Expected Development |
|---|---|
| Short-term (1–2 years) | Further hybrid attacks on infrastructure; increased pressure on armament budgets; first NATO interoperability measures implemented |
| Medium-term (5 years) | Partial modernization of artillery and air defense; militia system under pressure from complexity; cyber dependencies remain critical |
| Long-term (10–20 years) | Either: complete integration into NATO structures or: Switzerland remains underfunded and vulnerable. Risk of neutrality myth collapse in crisis |
Main Summary
Core Topic & Context
Thomas Süssli, Switzerland's Army Commander, is retiring after six years and leaving behind an uncomfortable message: the Swiss Army is not capable of defense. The Ukraine War (from 2022 onwards) gave him clear warning signals – hence his symbolic camouflage uniform since 2022. European intelligence agencies warn that Russia could be ready for further escalation against NATO by 2028. Süssli is calling for more radical investments than Swiss fiscal policy currently allows.
Key Facts & Figures
- Only one-third of soldiers are fully equipped
- Army operational at current pace only by 2050 (over 20 years delay)
- 80+ Russian nationals with intelligence service connections living in Switzerland
- 60+ documented sabotage acts in Europe attributed to Russia; none in Switzerland so far
- Parliament increased credit framework 2024 by 4 billion to 29.8 billion francs
- All financial resources bound until 2028/29; longer delivery times due to supply chain bottlenecks
- ⚠️ Threat timeline unclear: Only intelligence warnings, no concrete evidence for 2028 scenario
Stakeholders & Those Affected
| Who Benefits? | Who Loses? | Who Bears Risk? |
|---|---|---|
| Defense industry (F-35, artillery systems) | Militia soldiers (poorly equipped) | Swiss population in crisis |
| Technology startups (innovation) | Civilians in cyber attacks | Parliamentarians (political risk) |
| NATO partners (interoperability) | Neutrality narrative (credibility) | – |
Opportunities & Risks
| Opportunities | Risks |
|---|---|
| Militia System Advantage: Civilian competencies (drones, cyber) quickly integrable | Underfunding: 2050 scenario realistic; erosion of credibility |
| Innovation: NDP platform, drone frameworks with Swiss technology (e.g., Threema) | Dependence: F-35 and Microsoft Cloud create geopolitical vulnerability |
| NATO Interoperability: Faster information exchange, joint defense | Neutrality Myth Breach: Population not prepared for NATO integration |
| Cultural Change: Army recognizes digitalization imperative | Espionage & Sabotage: Hybrid threats increasing; defense capacities unknown |
Action Relevance
For Decision-Makers (Politics, Parliament):
- Acceleration or Scenario Change: Either double armament budget (1% GDP from 2032/35 too late) or actively debate full NATO membership
- Transparency Offensive: Inform population about real threat and neutrality myth – Süssli's honesty was isolated
- Hybrid Resilience: Prioritize cyber defense, disinformation strategies, critical infrastructure hardening (faster to implement than tank purchases)
- Cloud Independence: Take Süssli's Microsoft criticism seriously; promote European/Swiss open-source solutions
- Preserve Militia System: Despite complexity – civilian competencies are competitive advantage against tech-overwhelm
For Citizens & Media:
- Ask the question: Is neutrality without defense capability still tenable?
- Understand Süssli's warning not as militarism, but as reality check
Quality Assurance & Fact-Checking
- [x] Central statements verified (parliamentary credit framework, timelines)
- [x] Unconfirmed information marked with ⚠️ (2028 scenario, threat size)
- [x] Web research: NZZ article confirmed as reliable source
- [x] Political one-sidedness marked: Süssli's view is military perspective; counterarguments from fiscal policy lacking
Additional Research
- Swiss Intelligence Service (NDB): 2024 Annual Report on cyber and sabotage threats
- SIPRI Military Expenditure Database: Switzerland vs. European average (currently approx. 0.7% GDP)
- NATO 2% Debate: Why doesn't Switzerland pay if interoperability is planned?
Bibliography
Primary Source:
Mäder, Lukas & Berner, Selina (2025). «Switzerland cannot defend itself autonomously», says outgoing Army Commander Thomas Süssli. NZZ, 27.12.2025
https://www.nzz.ch/schweiz/armeechef-thomas-suessli-die-schweiz-kann-sich-nicht-autonom-verteidigen-sagt-der-abtretende-armeechef-thomas-suessli-ld.1916979
Supplementary Sources:
- Fopp, Andrea (2025). The Cyber General Steps Down, His Commitment Was Great, the Balance Sheet Remains Mixed. NZZ, 03.12.2025
- Swiss Intelligence Service (SND). Security Report 2024. EJPD
- Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Military Expenditure Database 2024.
Verification Status: ✓ Facts checked on 27.12.2025
This text was created with the support of Claude 3.
Editorial Responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-checking: 27.12.2025