Corps commander Thomas Süssli shares the concerns of the finance delegation.Image: KEYSTONE
Some Grande Muette projects are problematic and have been pinned by the Federal Finance Delegation. Corps commander Thomas Süssli responds and gives explanations.
The Swiss army head says it is sharing the concern of the finance delegation on army projects pointed out for significant problems and risks. But if these seven projects are experiencing difficulties, most of the 200 go well, he notes.
«Ces [sept] projects are all intended to strengthen the army’s defense capacity, ”said Thomas Süssli in an interview broadcast on Monday by the New Zürcher Zeitung. They are therefore important, because the army equipment is currently “insufficient to demonstrate in a credible manner that we are ready to defend the sovereignty of Switzerland”.
The corps commander points to multiple reasons, ranging from complexity, sometimes underestimated, of projects, to the high requirements to which they must respond, through delivery problems due to high demand for armaments. In the event of delay, the increase in the bill can reach up to 40%, he notes.
Large projects require permanent planning as well as risk management and shortages, underlines the manager. Currently, the army is expecting projects, such as war logistics and surveillance of airspace adapted to war, are carried out, he adds.
“And what is important is that no financial damage was caused by these projects”
The lack of resources led, at first, to the implementation of another logistics project instead of a war logisticsindicates Süssli. However, “we do not have the resources necessary to lead two major logistical projects from the front”.
-As of 2018, the SAP R3 system was migrated to S/4hana, he explains. “SAP is responsible for all the logistics of the army and the administration”. But the processes date from an era which was not yet oriented towards war logistics, continues the chief of the army. “We must first do an analysis of the needs and then launch a project”.
As for the date of its implementation, Süssli “ceased to be too optimistic”. “We are talking about 2035”.
Letter to Viola Amherd
The implementation of the new C2Air airspace surveillance system has a deadline in 2029 at the latest, notes the body commander. “By then, the risk is bearable. On a daily basis, Skyguide is monitoring the airspace. The army takes over in the event of a crisis or war ”.
But “the systems exploited by the army are old,” he said. Measures have thus been taken in staff and technology so that they can be exploited for a few more years.
In December, the delegation of finance (Delfin) of the federal chambers had expressed in a letter sent to the Minister of Defense Viola Amherd of his concern about the state of several army projects. , Among other things, the Renewal of a conduct and communication system as well as the acquisition of Israeli surveillance drones.
Regarding this last project, Federal Finance Control (CDF) published a critical report last week. He pointed out the management of the “unsatisfactory” Ads15 project. After several delays, the Confederation announced a postponement to the end of 2026. So far, five of the six drones ordered have been delivered, according to the most recent indications of the Federal Armament Office (Armasuisse). (JZS/ATS)
