Swiss government narrows missile defense choice to two systems

The Swiss Federal Council announced on Wednesday that it has narrowed its selection for a new long-range air defense system to two contenders. The options are the Barak MX from Israel Aerospace Industries and the SAMP/T NG developed by a European consortium. Bern will continue procuring the American Patriot system alongside whichever of these two it eventually selects.

The government made the decision after reviewing proposals from four manufacturers located in France, Israel, and South Korea. Officials cited technical specifications, military utility, and security policy as the basis for the choice. A statement from the council noted that Switzerland must strengthen its defenses against long-range attacks, including ballistic missiles, due to a worsening geopolitical environment.

The Barak MX is designed for multi-layered defense. It can fire three different types of missiles from a single vertical launcher. These include the Barak MRAD for ranges up to 35 kilometers, the Barak LRAD for up to 70 kilometers, and the Barak ER for targets up to 150 kilometers away. Israel Aerospace Industries says the system’s configuration allows operators to choose the most effective engagement method, which reduces costs.

The Barak MX has already been purchased by several nations. These include Morocco, Thailand, Azerbaijan, Slovenia, and Cyprus. Israel’s navy and the naval, air, and ground forces of India also operate the system.

The SAMP/T NG is a mobile system built by a joint venture involving Italy, the French firm Thales, and the MBDA European arms consortium. It features next-generation radars and the Aster 30 Block 1 NT interceptor. The system is engineered to neutralize high-altitude targets, maneuvering tactical ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles.

Switzerland already ordered five Patriot systems from Raytheon and Lockheed Martin in 2022. Delivery was expected between 2026 and 2028. However, the war in Ukraine has pushed the timeline back by at least five to seven years. Washington plans to supply Germany with Patriot systems that were originally designated for Switzerland. Bern stated it cannot halt the Patriot acquisition without a replacement ready.

The council emphasized the need to reduce dependence on a single supplier. A final decision will be made after the Parliament debates the military financing proposal. The plan includes an additional 24 billion francs for the armed forces. Of that total, six billion francs are allocated for the new long-range defense system, with the rest covering additional costs for the Patriot systems.