Led by Germany, the «European Sky Shield Initiative» (ESSI) aims to create a European air and missile defense system through the common procurement of air and missile defense equipment. This will strengthen NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defense capabilities.
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Die European Sky Shield Initiative #ESSI dient der Stärkung des 🇪🇺 Pfeilers in der gemeinsamen Luftverteidigung der #NATO. 🇦🇹&🇨🇭 haben beschlossen, sich an den Beschaffungen im Rahmen von ESSI zu beteiligen – im Sinne ihrer Neutralität ohne Integration in die NATO. pic.twitter.com/aD6I1R1pJi— Verteidigungsministerium (@BMVg_Bundeswehr) July 7, 2023
In October 2022, the defense ministers of 15 NATO member nations (at that time there were 14 plus Finland) signed in Brussels a Letter of Intent to participate and develop the German initiative of the common European missile shield. Austria and Switzerland, despite maintaining their status of neutrality and not belonging to NATO, do not want to remain outside the defense umbrella and also signed a declaration of intent to participate in the ESSI.
See also: 14 NATO members and Finland agreed to strengthen European air defense
A joint press release explains that the purpose of ESSI is to better coordinate and, if necessary, pool air defense acquisition projects in Europe to utilize economies of scale and improve interoperability. This allows for cooperation in training, maintenance and logistics. The focus is therefore on commercial considerations and the advantages of a coordinated approach at the European level.
Each participating country can define where and to what extent it participates. Each country will examine areas in which cooperation should be strengthened. For example, Switzerland, which recently made a major acquisition of Patriot air defense systems, will be able to exchange information and increase cooperation in operation and training with other European countries, which would lead to cost savings.
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Although they will maintain their neutrality with regard to their involvement in international military conflicts including NATO, by signing the declaration of intent, Austria and Switzerland join in cooperation with 15 other European states.
Switzerland, Germany and Austria also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the aim of strengthening cooperation in the field of military research and development.
