Since already-ordered Patriot SAM systems will take 5-7 years to arrive through Ukraine and Germany, Switzerland remains without long-range air defense and capability to shoot down ballistic missiles like Iskander-M.
Therefore they seek supplement and supposedly alternative evaluation is already completed.As RTS reports, final system selection decision went to Swiss Federal Council. At same time, favorite in competition is SAMP/T NG SAM system from European Eurosam.
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Specifically, SAMP/T NG may improve relations with France after Swiss chose American F-35s instead of Rafale. Also acknowledged is that choice of alternatives from South Korea and Israel has politically delicate character.
Also Swiss Federal Council overall is ready to buy more military equipment and weapons of European manufacture. Overall Swiss plan to spend 5 billion francs, approximately €5.292 billion, on additional air defense system.
Defense Express notes choosing SAM system specifically of Franco-Italian manufacture makes sense for Switzerland at minimum for geographical reasons. Also Eurosam promised quite fast delivery timelines.
At same time, currently unknown when Swiss will be able to receive first systems as result. Also worth not forgetting about SAMP/T's biggest weakness — missile production volumes. Although Aster 30 is planned to be localized in Ukraine, so far unknown what overall volumes will be ensured.
Regarding competition, it is represented by South Korean KM-SAM II or L-SAM, as well as Israeli Barak MX and David's Sling. Competition is serious, as all from this list except L-SAM were used in combat operations.
Recall currently Switzerland has absolutely no long-range air defense systems and means for shooting down ballistic missiles, creating defense capability gap. To close it they tried to agree on receiving Patriot from Germany, which were earlier supposed to go to Switzerland, but received refusal.
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