12th SSF Security Talk | Defence Policy, 7. November 2022
"We must be prepared for the worst case scenario - that is the defence case" | "It would be a big mistake to ever again underestimate the role of military power in international relations" | "The build-up in the Swiss army has already begun!" |
"The young generation is ready to fight for a better world"
These are some of the key statements made at the 12th SSF Security Talk on the topic of "A turning point for (Swiss) defence policy?" The event was opened by Councillor of States and SPC-S President Werner Salzmann. He welcomed the high-calibre speakers, panel guests and the 110 interested participants, including many young participants/students, and emphasised the great importance of the current topic.
The 12th SSF Security Talks kicked off with three informative input presentations. First, Jörg Vollmer (General (ret.), German Armed Forces) drew a clear and unsparing security policy picture of Europe. Equally exciting was the presentation by Claude-France Arnould (former Chief Executive of the European Defence Agency) who explained the complexity of European security and armament policy and the not always congruent positions of France and Germany. Afterwards, Lt. Gen. Thomas Süssli (Chief of the Armed Forces) spoke. He made clear where the Swiss Armed Forces stand today in terms of equipment, capabilities and number of army personnel and what steps are urgently needed to restore Switzerland's defence capability.
In the panel discussion that followed, Mme Arnould and Mr. Vollmer were joined by Werner Salzmann (President SPC-S), Prof. Dr. Holger Mey (Vice President Advanced Concepts, Airbus Defence and Space) and Hans-Peter Kellerhals (Major General (ret.), deputy editor-in-chief ASMZ), three otherwise recognised security experts. They made it crystal clear what the consequences and the big lessons of the war in Ukraine for Europe and Switzerland are and how long it will take us to regain a credible defence capability.
Find the detailed summary report here.
Find the program of the event here.
Reports: ASMZ & Schweizer Soldat
Photo gallery (Photographer: Daniel Saxer)
