Switzerland to decide on second long-range air defense system by year-end amid Patriot delays

Switzerland's Federal Council is expected to make a decision by the end of 2026 regarding the procurement of a second long-range air defense system. This comes as the country grapples with significant delays in acquiring five US-made Patriot systems, originally slated for delivery by the end of the current year.

The Swiss Department of Defence (VBS) reported that while most of its major armament projects are showing a "slightly positive trend," the ground-based air defense system is "not on track." Global supply chain bottlenecks, exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and tensions in the Middle East, have impacted delivery schedules. The US has been unable to provide a firm delivery date for the Patriot systems.

In response to the uncertainty, Switzerland's head of armaments, Urs Loher, halted payments last autumn. However, recent positive signals suggest a partial delivery might be possible starting in 2027, leading to the payment freeze being cautiously lifted. Despite these developments, substantial uncertainties remain, and a binding delivery date is still absent.

Adding to the complexity, the project faces a potential cost escalation. Internal documents indicate that the initial budget of nearly two billion Swiss francs could balloon to between 1.7 and 4.3 billion francs in additional costs. Defense officials are managing this by maintaining the payment plan based on the original price, acknowledging that actual costs may rise but avoiding constant recalculations until precise figures are known and parliamentary approval for supplementary credits is secured. The Federal Council's decision on a second system, potentially manufactured partly in Europe or Switzerland, is anticipated by year-end.

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In the moment there is no longer any intention to pay.