2023-07-03 17:18:00
3.07.2023 19:18
(Akt. 3.07.2023 19:18)
Constitutional Minister Edtstadler accuses FPÖ leader Kickl of “ignorance”. ©AP, APA
The debate about Austria’s planned participation in the European air defense initiative “Sky Shield” continues. According to the Ministry of Defense, however, much is still unclear.
First of all, Austria wants to sign the participation, only then will there be talks about what Austria can specifically contribute to this “procurement initiative”, a spokeswoman said on Monday to the APA.
The medium-range anti-aircraft systems mentioned by military expert Franz-Stefan Gady in the Ö1 “Morgenjournal”, i.e. a range of between 15 and 50 kilometers or up to 25 kilometers, are “one possibility”, it said. Another option is an exchange of radar data. The spokeswoman “could not confirm” the rumored two billion euros in costs for Austria. In any case, “everything must be compatible with neutrality”.
It is also not yet clear what the other countries are contributing. The media spoke of the purchase of US Patriot systems and the Israeli missile defense system Arrow 3.
Brigadier Eder on “Sky Shield”
Brigadier Philipp Eder speaks on ORF about the Sky Shield Initiative, in which Austria also wants to participate.
FPÖ criticism of “Sky Shield” membership
The FPÖ reiterated its criticism of the project on Monday. FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl spoke on Sunday of a “devastating neutrality policy decision”.
Edtstadler attacks Kickl
Constitutional Minister Karoline Edtstadler (ÖVP), on the other hand, emphasized that Austria’s core task as a neutral state is to ensure comprehensive national defence. “Neutrality means being defensive. With the European ‘Sky Shield’ initiative, we can, of course, respond effectively to new threats and technologies, in particular drones and ballistic missiles, in accordance with the Federal Constitutional Law on neutrality. Other neutral states are also considering participate in it,” Edtstadler said in a statement.
“Typical ignorance”
Edtstadler also sharply attacked the former interior minister in relation to heute.at: “With his typical mixture of ignorance and populism, he obviously wants to refuse this protection to the Austrians and instead relies on scaremongering by saying that this would lead to a war with Russia . That is highly irresponsible.”
17 countries in “Sky Shield Initiative”
The “European Sky Shield Initiative” (ESSI) came from the EU and NATO country Germany and currently includes 17 countries. Since last October, the NATO members Great Britain, Slovakia, Latvia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Finland, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovenia, Estonia and Norway have also been involved. Denmark and NATO candidate Sweden also joined the project in February. Against the background of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, “Sky Shield” is intended to help close existing gaps in the current protective shield for Europe.
The southern NATO countries Italy, Spain and France as well as Poland are not part of the German initiative. Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles said at the time, according to Spanish media, that Spain had not been formally asked to take part in the project. Paris does not like the fact that non-European technology is to be purchased.
With “Sky Shield”, a satellite-supported protective screen will be placed over the participating countries, which can detect and ward off drones and missiles at an early stage, the federal government announced on Saturday. The increased threat situation is reflected in three factors against which “Sky Shield” is intended to offer the necessary protection: attacks by drones or threats from misguided drones, threats from military aircraft in European airspace, and threats from ballistic or nuclear missiles in European airspace.
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