Swiss government narrows second air-defence system to Israeli Barak MX and French SAMP/T NG

Two finalists remain

The Federal Council said on Wednesday, 28 October, that it has not yet decided which system to buy as a second long-range ground-based air-defence system. Four offers came from manufacturers in France, Israel and South Korea, and the South Korean bid was not retained. The two remaining candidates are Israel's Barak MX and the SAMP/T NG, built by the Franco-Italian group Eurosam. Both options are considered technically feasible. The Defence Department (VBS) will continue its assessments of the two systems.

Why the choice is politically sensitive

The Federal Council asked the Defence Department, together with the Justice, Economy and Finance departments, to examine foreign-policy and economic aspects as well. Israel's system has already proven itself in real use, but Israel is a party to war, which makes awarding it a contract sensitive under Swiss neutrality policy. SP co-president Cédric Wermuth, aged 40, announced strong opposition in a press release. He argued that Switzerland should rely on European solutions and criticised Defence Minister Martin Pfister (63, Mitte) for considering cooperation with the Israeli arms industry.

“That is a scandal!”

France came away empty-handed in the earlier fighter jet purchase, and the federal government is reluctant to snub the neighbour again.

Patriot purchase and funding

The Patriot purchase is not being questioned for security reasons, despite delivery delays, and talks with the United States continue. Six billion francs are planned for the second long-range system and for covering at least part of the extra costs linked to Patriot. The money would come entirely from the army's supplementary budget of 24 billion francs.

Second system and partial Patriot surcharges6

Army supplementary budget24

Second system and partial Patriot surcharges

6 CHF billion

Army supplementary budget

24 CHF billion

Data from the article text

The Council of States approved, during the autumn session, a 0.2 percentage point VAT increase for 18 years to fund the army. The National Council still has to vote on it.

What comes next

Switzerland currently has practically no protection against ballistic missiles, and the Federal House, Zurich Airport and the Laufenburg power plant are named as easy targets. The Federal Council had announced in March that a second air-defence system would be procured by the end of this year, a deadline that is now out of reach. The Federal Council will decide in early 2027 on an additional credit for Patriot and on the second long-range system.