Switzerland wants to participate in the defense program European Sky Shield Initiative, a shield for the protection of European skies from air attacks by missile systems. The initiative envisages the joint acquisition of military equipment by the member countries, integrating the equipment of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). This means that a possible accession of Zurich will make Switzerland less neutral.

"Switzerland wishes to participate in the European Sky Shield initiative. A declaration of intent should be signed in Bern" on Friday 7 July, explained the Swiss defense minister, Viola Amherd, who will meet her counterparts from Austria and Germany to talk about joining the program.

The European Sky Shield anti-aircraft defense system was established by Germany in 2022. So far, around 17 countries from the old continent have joined the project: Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovakia, Slovenia, Romania, United Kingdom, Denmark, Sweden and Finland. The system become now a clear defense opportunity after the Russian military invasion of Ukraine.