Austria wants to join the European Sky Shield initiative

Neutral Austria wants to join the European Sky Shield initiative. Far-right parties oppose it.

Euractiv reported this.

The initiative is intended to help address gaps in Europe's current air defence system, particularly in the area of ballistic missiles that reach high altitudes on their trajectory, as well as in defence against drones and cruise missiles. 

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer announced Austria's desire to join the initiative on July 1.

"The threat situation has massively intensified due to the Russian war of aggression on Ukraine. Austria will therefore join the European air defence initiative, Sky Shield," he said.

This was criticised by the leader of the far-right FPÖ party, Herbert Kickl. In his opinion, this is a violation of the neutrality policy. 

His position was criticised by the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"Sky Shield is not a NATO initiative, it is not an accession to a military alliance, but only cooperation of a number of states. Pooling and sharing military capabilities means sticking to neutrality," said Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg.