Criticisms
Critics had blasted the creation of the ARD 10, saying that that unit might conduct anti-terrorist missions that may put civilians in harm's way contrary to their mission. The Zeit-Fragen, a weekly newspaper, also claimed that the ARD 10 would be a blow to Swiss neutrality, saying that crisis situations involving Swiss nationals are always solved through negotiations. There are concerns that the ARD 10, like all special forces, can be used covertly against politically active people instead of conducting their missions to their mandate.
An article criticized the planned mission to Somalia, questioning on who should ARD 10 operators shoot as pirates when they are on anti-piracy operations since most of them are ex-fisherman and criminals. Furthermore, an article from the Berner Zeitung insists that the ARD 10 deployment is not the solution, but calls for political solutions.
The ARD10 was criticized for being "dangerous" when Swiss media leaked out plans to rescue Swiss nationals in Libya on June 28, 2010. In addition, it is reported that 40 operators are currently active and not at least 90 as initially planned. According to Albert Stahel of Zurich University’s Institute for Strategic Studies, an umbrella of the Swiss military's various special forces unit should be created as Switzerland does not have enough resources to strategically transport ARD10 operators to various places around the globe.
Read more about this topic: Army Reconnaissance Detachment 10
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