Switzerland has begun contract negotiations with manufacturers from France, Israel, and South Korea for a second air defense system. This move comes after delays in the delivery of US Patriot missile systems, which were initially expected to arrive between 2026 and 2028.
Background
The Swiss defense ministry had ordered Patriot missile defense systems made by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin in 2022. However, the timeline was pushed back by four to five years due to the war in Ukraine.
The ministry has now restarted payments to the US for the Patriot system and is seeking a second system to reduce dependence on a single provider and supply chain. This decision is driven by the deteriorating security situation, which necessitates the country’s ability to defend itself against attacks as quickly as possible.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
