Failed Germany deal pushes Swiss Patriot costs to 4.3 billion francs

Negotiations to secure Patriot air defence systems from Germany have failed, increasing Switzerland’s additional costs and delaying delivery, SRF reports.

The first systems were originally due to arrive in Switzerland this year. However, the United States assigned the delivery to Germany last year after Berlin transferred Patriot systems to Ukraine and sought to quickly fill the resulting gap.

In June, Switzerland’s Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection, Sport and the armed forces saw a possible opportunity to reach an arrangement with Germany and the United States. The Swiss side believed Germany might transfer at least part of its delivery because the systems it ordered did not match the configuration requested by Switzerland.

But talks conducted in recent weeks on behalf of the Federal Council have ended without an agreement. Armaments chief Urs Loher confirmed SRF’s report, saying the options involving Germany had fallen through and could not be implemented.

Loher said neither Germany nor the United States was to blame, arguing that countries facing a threat from rockets or cruise missiles had to prioritise their own needs. Germany had chosen the fastest way to replace the systems it had sent to Ukraine.

A deal with Germany would have limited Switzerland’s additional costs to around 1 billion Swiss francs and could have enabled delivery from next year. Without it, Switzerland will receive systems produced later, exposing the project to higher inflation. Further Patriot upgrades are also increasing the price.

The additional costs now amount to at least 1.7 billion francs, and could reach 4.3 billion francs, according to Loher. The original project was expected to cost 2 billion francs. The final amount is not guaranteed because Switzerland must still agree with the United States either to amend the contract or sign a new one.

Delivery has been delayed by at least six years to 2032 and is not expected before the early 2030s. Switzerland was originally due to receive the first of five firing units this year.

The Swiss army is currently effectively unprotected against missile or cruise missile attacks. The Federal Council also plans to purchase an additional long-range defence system. Negotiations are under way with potential suppliers from France, Israel and South Korea, with 5 billion francs earmarked for the purchase.