Music hits 10:00am - Noon

Listen Live

Search

Defence minister warns of growing threat

Monday, 15 September 2025 06:30

Martin Pfister, Federal Councillor (c) admin.ch

Switzerland’s defence minister is warning Europe’s security is under growing threat.

In an interview in the SonntagsZeitung, Martin Pfister pointed to the recent violation of Polish airspace by Russian drones, stressing the heightened risk of escalation across the continent. 

While the government considers a similar scenario unlikely for Switzerland, officials admit the country’s air defence system could not currently repel such long-range threats.

Switzerland is awaiting delivery of Patriot missile systems, delayed due to US priorities in Ukraine. 

Pfister says closer cooperation with neighbouring countries will be crucial to detect and combat drones effectively.

Share

More from Bitesize News

  • Geneva could foot the G7 bill

    Geneva fears it will be left with the security bill from a G7 summit just across the border in Évian, according to 24 heures.

  • US NGO discovers Swiss child abuse cases

    Switzerland relies too heavily on an American NGO to detect child sexual abuse online, raising questions about the country's ability to protect children on its own.

  • French singer banned by Paleo

    The Paléo Festival in Nyon says it will no longer invite French singer Patrick Bruel, after a former volunteer accused him of inappropriate behaviour.

  • Cars going uninspected

    The cantons are struggling to keep up with mandatory vehicle inspections, leaving more than 550,000 checks overdue nationwide.

  • War may lead to rent rises

    Rents may rise again, says the bank Raiffeisen.

  • Not a heatwave, yet

    Summer has arrived, with temperatures climbing past 30 over the long weekend. Basel reached 31 and Sion hit 32.4, but MeteoSwiss, says this does not yet count as an official heatwave.

Follow WRS

Download our app

  • Available on the App Store
  • Available on Google Play