Austria, following Switzerland, wants to join the multi-billion-dollar Sky Shield missile defence programme to protect Europe from Russian ballistic missiles

It was recently reported that Switzerland wants to join the Sky Shield programme. Perhaps Austria will also be part of a new initiative aimed at a pan-European missile defence system.

Here's What We Know

Austria is not a member of NATO and tries to adhere to the principle of neutrality. However, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer has said the country wants to join the Sky Shield initiative because of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.

There has been considerable opposition to such a decision among officials. A key complaint is that Austria's joining the Sky Shield program threatens the country's neutrality. Some Swiss officials say the same thing.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced the Sky Shield project last year after the outbreak of large-scale war in Ukraine. The program aims to protect Europe from ballistic missiles.

Germany will use IRIS-T SLM, MIM-104 Patriot and Arrow-3 air and missile defence systems. All countries are free to choose their own air defence systems. France is upset that the emphasis is on the US MIM-104 Patriot and the Israeli Arrow-3 systems.

Source: Euroactiv