Switzerland Picks Between Barak MX and SAMP/T NG for Air Defense

Bern has cut the list of candidates for a new long-range air defense system down to two.

The Swiss Federal Council announced the decision on Wednesday. It reviewed proposals from manufacturers in France, Israel, and South Korea. The final contenders are Israel's Barak MX and the SAMP/T NG.

The Barak MX, made by Israel Aerospace Industries, uses a multi-layered design. Operators can select the best engagement method for a given situation. The system fires three missile types from one vertical launcher. The Barak MRAD reaches 35 kilometers. The Barak LRAD covers 70 kilometers. The Barak ER targets objects up to 150 kilometers away. Countries including Morocco, Thailand, and Cyprus already use the system.

The SAMP/T NG comes from a joint venture involving Italy, Thales, and MBDA. It targets high-altitude threats like maneuvering tactical ballistic missiles. The mobile unit uses next-generation AESA radars. It also employs the Aster 30 Block 1 NT interceptor. The system protects both fixed assets and deployed forces.

The council stated that Switzerland must strengthen its air defenses due to a deteriorating geopolitical situation. It requires ground-based systems with longer range and sufficient ammunition. These systems will work with shorter-range assets and fighter jets to counter long-range attacks.

The Patriot program continues in parallel. Switzerland ordered five systems from Raytheon and Lockheed Martin in 2022. Delivery was expected between 2026 and 2028. The war in Ukraine has pushed the schedule back by five to seven years. Washington plans to give the systems originally earmarked for Switzerland to Germany.

Bern insists it cannot stop the Patriot buy without a replacement ready. The council called abandoning the procurement out of the question. It stressed the need to buy an additional system quickly to widen the protected area. A parliamentary debate on a military financing proposal will follow. The proposal adds 24 billion francs for the armed forces, including 6 billion francs for the new long-range system.