Switzerland weighs Israeli and French air-defence systems

Switzerland is assessing two long-range air-defence systems as it pursues a second layer alongside the US-made Patriot. The Federal Council announced on October 28 that the defence ministry should evaluate Israel’s Barak MX and France’s SAMP/T NG, after the government examined bids from four manufacturers.

The stated aim is to procure an additional system rapidly. The government says a second supplier could help protect a larger area and reduce Switzerland’s dependence on a single supplier or supply chain, citing the deteriorating geopolitical situation. The choice now sits within a broader defence effort: the Federal Council plans to seek an additional CHF 24 billion for the army, with CHF 6 billion earmarked for a new long-range surface-to-air system and at least part of the Patriot project’s added costs. The funding message is expected to come before parliament during the winter session.

The two candidates come from different suppliers: Israel’s Barak MX and France’s SAMP/T NG. The defence ministry will assess them as potential additions to Patriot, following the Federal Council’s review of bids submitted by four manufacturers. The announcement marks the next evaluation stage in Switzerland’s search for another long-range surface-to-air system.

The government has instructed the ministry to consider foreign and economic policy factors in its future work, in collaboration with other departments. That direction makes the assessment broader than a technical procurement exercise: Switzerland is also weighing the international and economic considerations tied to a major defence purchase. The government’s stated objective remains a system that can be procured rapidly, extend protection across a larger area and reduce dependence on one supplier or supply chain. Both options are being considered against that national requirement, alongside the existing Patriot project.

The new evaluation will run alongside the Patriot procurement, which the Federal Council says should continue with as little delay as possible. The government argues that stopping the project without an alternative would not be viable. It also says the United States has given priority in Patriot deliveries to countries that supported Ukraine with their own systems.

That supply context strengthens the government’s case for adding another long-range system, while its position is to keep the Patriot project moving and limit additional costs. The Federal Council’s plan assigns CHF 6 billion to a second long-range system and to cover at least part of the Patriot procurement’s added costs. The amount is part of a wider proposed CHF 24 billion boost to army funding. The government’s next steps will depend in part on parliament’s consideration of that funding message during the winter session.

Parliament’s winter-session discussion will shape the next steps in Switzerland’s air-defence plans. The Federal Council’s proposed army funding package totals CHF 24 billion in additional support. Within it, CHF 6 billion is intended for an additional long-range surface-to-air system and to meet at least part of the extra costs linked to Patriot procurement.

For the Swiss government, the two evaluations and the Patriot project form parts of the same effort: build long-range protection while reducing reliance on a single supplier or supply chain. The ministry is to continue the Patriot work quickly and at the lowest possible additional cost, while assessing Barak MX and SAMP/T NG and considering foreign and economic policy factors with other departments. The government has framed a second system as a way to expand the area Switzerland can protect. The funding decision will influence how the procurement process proceeds.