Geneva (Agencies): Switzerland hosted joint air force drills with the United States this week, despite its long-standing policy of military neutrality.
The Swiss Federal Council announced that the Swiss air force and the U.S. Air Force in Europe conducted exercises from October 28-30, 2024, in Swiss airspace. The goal of these exercises was to enhance the defense capability of the Swiss army through international cooperation.
The drills were designed to promote an exchange of experience and test the preparedness for joint air defense.
This move has sparked questions about Switzerland’s neutrality, as it has engaged in 24 military drills involving NATO countries in 2024, including four on its own territory. Since the start of the Ukraine crisis in February 2022,
Switzerland has drawn criticism from Russia for participating in actions hostile to Moscow, despite not being a member of NATO or the EU.