Switzerland has launched contract talks with defense manufacturers from France, Israel, and South Korea as the neutral nation looks to add a second air defense system to its arsenal, the Swiss government announced Wednesday.
The move follows major setbacks to Switzerland’s 2022 order of Patriot missile defense systems, built by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin. Originally scheduled for delivery between 2026 and 2028, that timeline has been pushed back four to five years as a result of the ongoing war in Ukraine diverting production and supply.
The Swiss defense ministry confirmed it has resumed previously suspended payments to the United States for the Patriot system and said it wants to minimize any further delays or additional costs tied to that order.
At the same time, officials said negotiations are now underway with manufacturers from France, Israel, and South Korea for a separate, complementary system. The ministry did not identify the specific companies involved in those discussions.
Swiss officials cited a “deteriorating security situation” as the driving force behind the decision, saying the country needs the ability to defend itself from attack as rapidly as possible and requires capacity beyond what the Patriot system alone can provide.
“In addition, a second system reduces dependence on a single provider and a single supply chain, thereby strengthening security of supply,” the ministry stated.
Last month, when Switzerland first signaled it was exploring missile defense options beyond the Patriot system, Germany had also been mentioned as a possible supplier country, though it was not included in the latest round of announced negotiations.
