US to provide Patriot air defense system to Switzerland

Europe, News, US April 9, 2023 , by IRIA No Comments

U.S. Army awarded American defense firm Raytheon Technologies a $1.2 billion foreign military sales contract to provide Switzerland with five units of Patriot Air Defense systems.

Switzerland has selected Patriot as part of the Swiss air defense solution for the “Air 2030” program. The European nation becomes the 18th global Patriot partner and the eighth country in Europe to select the system for its air defense.

The contract includes five Patriot fire units and a quantity of Guidance Enhanced Missiles (GEM-T). The GEM-T missile can successfully target attacking aircraft as well as counter tactical ballistic missiles and cruise missiles.

President of Land Warfare & Air Defense at Raytheon, Tom Laliberty said, “Designed specifically to counter today’s threats, Patriot is the proven, reliable ground-based air defense capability for the U.S. Army and now 17 international countries.”

According to Tom Laliberty, “Switzerland now joins this Global Patriot user community and will benefit from unparalleled commonality, cooperation, experience, and cost sharing over the weapon system’s life cycle.”

Raytheon will work with the Swiss industry to deliver the Patriot system to meet the country’s air defense needs and safeguard its sovereignty. The Patriot air defense system contract for Switzerland also includes projects for local industry participation.

*^{The U.S. Patriot Missile Defense System at an exercise in Romania, November 2016. (Image Credit: Reuters/Ovidiu Micsik)}*

Patriot air defense system consists of radars, command-and-control technology, and multiple interceptors that work together to detect, identify and defeat advanced aircraft, ballistic and cruise missiles, and enemy drones.

According to Raytheon, Patriot has combat-proven ground-based air defense capability and can successfully defeat advanced long-range cruise missiles, tactical ballistic missiles, and a full spectrum of air-breathing threats.

The Patriot system is known as the essence of NATO and Europe’s defense against ballistic and cruise missiles, as well s advanced aircraft and drones. With the procurement of five units of the Patriot air defense system, Switzerland’s missile defense capability would significantly improve to meet current and future airborne threats.