Outgoing Army Chief: Switzerland 'Has Gone Back to Sleep' on Defence

In a blunt assessment of Switzerland's security posture, outgoing army chief Thomas Süssli has issued a stark warning: the nation, he claims, 'has gone back to sleep.' Speaking to the press as he concludes his six-year term, Süssli expressed grave concern that the sense of urgency that gripped the country following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has dissipated. This return to complacency, he argues, leaves the nation vulnerable and unprepared for persistent and evolving geopolitical threats.

The conflict in Ukraine initially served as a powerful wake-up call for much of Europe, including traditionally neutral Switzerland. The invasion shattered long-held assumptions about continental security and thrust the issue of national defence to the forefront of political discourse. For a time, there was a renewed focus on the capabilities, funding, and readiness of the Swiss armed forces. However, according to Süssli, this period of heightened awareness was short-lived. As the initial shock has worn off, he observes a slide back into a more relaxed attitude towards military and security matters, a trend he finds deeply troubling.

Süssli's primary concern is that this 'slumber' directly impacts the nation's capacity to respond to threats. He emphasized that the need to strengthen defence capabilities has not diminished. The army chief pointed to Russia's continued aggression and its strategic goal of dividing the West as an ongoing and significant threat. 'We have not done enough to explain' the army's needs, he stated, suggesting a failure to communicate the persistent danger and the necessity of maintaining a robust and modern military. This communication gap, he implies, has allowed a dangerous sense of security to once again take hold among the public and policymakers.

Reflecting on his tenure, which began in 2019, Süssli acknowledged positive developments. He welcomed a 'change of culture' within the armed forces and noted that the army has gained significant visibility. However, this progress is overshadowed by his regret that the military leadership has been unable to capitalize on the brief window of political and public attention to secure the long-term commitments necessary for Switzerland's defence. His departure is marked by a sense of unfinished business, a feeling that a crucial opportunity to fundamentally bolster the nation's security posture may have been missed.

As Switzerland prepares for a new head of its army and intelligence service, Süssli's parting words serve as a call to action. His message is clear: the nation cannot afford to be complacent. The path forward requires a sustained and honest conversation about the country's security needs, backed by concrete political and financial investment. It involves clearly articulating the nature of modern threats and the role of the armed forces in safeguarding Swiss sovereignty and interests. For Süssli's successor, the primary challenge will be to reawaken the nation to the realities of a less stable world and convince it to invest in its own protection before it's too late.