European Sky Shield Initiative

European Sky Shield Initiative

News: In what is being viewed as a historic move for Switzerland, which is known for its foreign-policy neutrality, along with Austria signed a declaration of intent, to join the European air defence system Sky Shield.

Background:
• The initiative was originally proposed by the Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz in August 2022, in response to the 2022–2023 Russian strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure and the increased concerns about the limited European capability to defend against such threats.

What is the European Sky Shield Iniative?
• The ESSI is a project to build a ground-based integrated European air defense system that includes anti-ballistic missile capability.
• The ESSI will use multi-layered defense, with the following systems planned - Medium range: primarily IRIS-T SLM, Long range: MIM-104 Patriot and Very long range: Arrow 3
• The initiative has implications for regional stability, arms control and disarmament.

Which countries have agreed to be part of ESSI?
• Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovakia, Slovenia, Romania, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Sweden, Austria, Switzerland.

Which major European countries have not joined?
• As of July 2023, several major European states, namely France, Poland, Italy and Spain did not make a decision to join the ESSI.