Viola Amherd, whose successor will be chosen on Wednesday, said Russia's war in Ukraine was having a major impact on landlocked Switzerland's security outlook.

"We live in a time of great uncertainty," Amherd said in a speech to the assembly of delegates of the Swiss Officers' Society.

"The Russian war of aggression is having a significant impact on Switzerland's security environment, and geopolitical upheavals have recently taken on a worrying pace.

"Switzerland's security is inextricably linked to that of Europe. Therefore, in addition to the rearmament of the Swiss army, we have worked intensively to deepen security policy cooperation with the European NATO states and the EU."

Amherd, from The Centre party, has been criticised by the conservative right, who accuse her of having undermined traditional Swiss neutrality during her six years as defence minister.

Switzerland's long-standing position has been one of well-armed military neutrality and the country has mandatory conscription for men.

A key facet of its national identity, Swiss neutrality traces its roots back to 1516 and has been internationally recognised since 1815.

It has refused to send arms to Kyiv or allow countries that hold Swiss-made weaponry to re-export it to Ukraine.

Amherd said the government was investing in strengthening Switzerland's defence capabilities.

The army's budget in 2019 was 4.9 billion Swiss francs ($5.6 billion). It is 5.7 billion francs this year and is expected to reach 9.7 billion francs, corresponding to one percent of GDP, in 2032.

As Switzerland's president last year, Ahmerd hosted the June 2024 Summit on Peace in Ukraine. The joint communique, supported by 95 states, backed a just and lasting peace and upheld Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Parliamentarians will choose on Wednesday between two Centre Party candidates to replace Amherd in the multi-party, seven-member government: Markus Ritter and Martin Pfister.