This week Switzerland, a land locked neutral country surrounded by NATO nations, chose to invest in the defense of their territorial airspace from sophisticated air and space missile threats. Switzerland, in a bold statement about the future of its national defense, announced the selection of the best land based air defense systems in the world, the Patriot Missile Defense System, and the most capable fifth generation air defense platform the F-35 stealth fighter, both American made.

Switzerland joins the exclusive club of nations with ballistic missile defense systems capable of defending their population and territory. There are 16 allied country members that are actively defending their populations with deployed ballistic missile defense systems; France, Germany, Greece, India, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Poland, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States.

It is abundantly clear that the requirement for ballistic missile defense in today’s world, in order to deter escalating complex ballistic and cruise missile threats, remains a primary concern. This includes the ability to both defend against the threat and attack the adversaries launch capabilities.

“The Federal Council is confident that these two systems are the most suitable for protecting the Swiss population from air threats in the future,” the Swiss Government stated.

The comprehensive global architecture that combines the Missile Defense capabilities and capacities of our like-minded Allies and Partners is an irreplaceable element of Peace through Strength.

The reality and symbolism of our Allies and Partners collectively operating and acquiring new American defensive weapons systems is profound.