A billion for ammunition in air defense on the brink

The Security Policy Commission (SIK) wants to anchor an additional billion francs for ammunition in the armaments message. The financial commission rejects this. Much indicates that the National Council says no.

The lobbying at the last second was considerable. The VBS defense department had invited to the Bernerhof for Tuesday morning at 7 a.m. Around 60 parliamentary members followed the call. Present head Urs Loher gave a lecture – and indirectly spoke out for more ammunition for the army. The waiting periods in ammunition for air defense are very long today. Defense Minister Martin Pfister was also present.

Loher’s words could be understood as a wink. On Thursday, the National Council discussed the 2025 army message. The Federal Council applies for commitment loans to the extent of CHF 1.5 billion. The main point of the program is a new bike -based artillery system for 850 million. However, the security policy commission (SIK) wants to supplement the armaments program with a commitment loan over CHF 1 billion for ammunition in the field of air defense.

This billion is controversial. The financial commission rejects them, as well as SP, Greens and GLP. A showdown is thus terminated between the security and finance commission on the one hand and center-left and center-right on the other.

The fact that the VBS meeting with armor leader Loher took place in the Bernerhof, of all people, where finance minister Karin Keller-Sutter stays, does not lack irony. Keller-Sutter vehemently lobby against the ammunition billion on Tuesday afternoon in the FDP faction meeting.

Mid and FDP are split, and the SVP is not closed either

However, middle law has bad cards. FDP and middle – you decide the business – are split. The FDP speaks a majority for the billion. With National Councilor Heinz Theiler, a freedomer also submitted the corresponding application in the SIK.

« The army today has no sufficient reserves in ammunition, » says Theiler. «The perseverance is in no way ensured for use. That’s why I brought the application. » The commitment loan does not have to be financed immediately and is an important sign for the armaments industry. « Today you wait four to five years for ammunition that you ordered, » says Theiler. « And the longer you wait, the more expensive it gets. »

Defense Minister Pfister had spoken out against the ammunition billion before the session, in relation to two thirds. And even the SVP has some deviators, as research shows. One who says is security politician Mauro Tuena. « In the event of a war, we have no ammunition for air defense, » he says. « That is devastating. » Financing should take place from the account of international cooperation. But he knows: « The decision in the National Council is on the knife cutting edge. »

Much indicates that middle links have a majority against the ammunition billion because center-law does not appear closed. With 41 votes of SP, 23 of the Greens, 11 of the GLP, about 15 from the middle, 9 of the FDP and 5 from the SVP, a potential of around 104 votes. That is sufficient for a no.

The financial commission was unanimous for rejection

The financial commission spoke out against the ammunition billion two weeks ago. This was done unanimously and without a counter application, says President Sarah Wyss (SP). An additional commitment loan « would lead to planning overhangs », she emphasizes. « This means that more financial obligations for armaments purchases would be received than would be paid in the context of future premiums. »

On Wednesday evening, GLP National Councilor Beat Flach submitted a single application to the billion. He demands 500 million for urgent, procurement -ready army projects and 500 million for the reconstruction of Ukraine.

However, no individual application will be submitted to Mitte-Nationalrat Thomas Rechsteiner. He had temporarily flirted to submit a compromise proposal to the National Council: 500 million for ammunition instead of a billion. He has now said goodbye to that. He says: « A billion for ammunition is right. »