Amherds first choices are wise, but not without risk

four and a half months, Viola Amherd knew a maximum at the edge of the army know. But now the first military Minister of the Swiss history is already Soft, which will shape the country's defence for decades to come. Amherd is a propose this content stakes wise - but not without political risk.

soft position I: In the Air by 2030, based total renewal of the air defense, Amherd at the idea of her predecessor. As Guy Parmelin also Amherd want to allow a referendum on the future of the air force. At a crucial point corrected Amherd Parmelins preparatory work, however, by solving the ground-to-air missiles from the package. So the vote question to answer, the Swiss voting public, probably in September or November 2020, now: you Want to buy for six billion francs of new fighter jets - without that you already know which type of aircraft will it be in the end?

Parmelin, however, wanted to put everything on one card and one comprehensive vote on the entire air-defense - so Jets and missiles - perform. This political concentration of risk was simply too big: In the case of a ' no ' at the ballot box in Switzerland would be stood there, suddenly, without any air defense.

soft position II: in the upcoming renewal of heavy weapons systems on the ground Amherd realism proves. Instead of the large tanks of the war, in the Thur or Orbe-level to prepare for the Swiss army in the future, even more on modern war pattern: Namely, the so-called hybrid conflicts with opponents, adhering to no rules, to act covertly and in the midst of the cities, spreading fear and terror. For such modern conflicts - the Federal Council decided on Amherds request - need the Swiss army in the future, fewer heavy tanks and artillery than in the past, but instead more of smaller, portable units and devices.

The price for this repositioning of the renunciation of large parts of what traditionalists under a proper army to meet. This will not please everyone, but an Alternative to the Amherd chosen direction it is also because the financial resources are limited.

front hand ... it's enough time for the Note 5.

position III: it is the most surprising and politically risky, because you touched a hot iron of the Swiss security policy, the so-called Offset transactions. Last year, the entire Federal Council had decided to compensate for the procurement of new fighter jets, 100 percent of the purchase price in the Form of counter-transactions. Now Amherd lowers this rate unexpectedly to 60 percent.

Objectively, your decision is right. First, because shops are a defence business from becoming unnecessarily expensive. And secondly, because it is almost impossible to find a meaningful counter-transactions for a volume of the order of six billion Swiss francs.

Not Amherds decision is fallen but the industry, which is likely to lose billions in orders. Amherd is thus the risk, in economic circles, Support for your arms to lose the offensive. How solid is the resistance of this page will be, is today difficult to predict.

If Amherd has a Plan to parry this foreseeable attacks, it could be your first decisions as Minister of defence earn smooth to the touch 6. The front hand is enough for sure for a 5. (Editorial Tamedia)

Created: 16.05.2019, 13:13 PM