Iron Dome in action.
Switzerland wants to buy ‘Israeli’ air defense systems after US Patriot delay
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Switzerland has initiated contract negotiations with ‘Israeli’ manufacturers, alongside those from France and South Korea, for a potential second long-range air defense system.
The move, announced on Wednesday, seeks to address vulnerabilities exposed by significant delays in the delivery of US-made Patriot systems.
In 2022, Switzerland ordered five Patriot missile batteries from American suppliers Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, with initial deliveries anticipated between 2026 and 2028.
However, production strains linked to the war in Ukraine have deferred timelines by an estimated four to five years, prompting Bern to resume suspended payments while seeking alternatives.
Focus has turned notably toward ‘Israeli’ systems, though Swiss officials explicitly ruled out the Arrow missile defense.
Speculation centers on options such as David’s Sling, a system developed through ‘Israeli’-US collaboration, which could provide complementary capabilities against long-range aerial threats.
The prospective second system is projected to surpass the approximate 2 billion Swiss francs cost of the Patriot acquisition.
